At Legacy Youth Zone, we believe every young person deserves a safe place to go, something positive to do, and someone they can trust. In 2025, we continued to turn that belief into action, delivering high-quality youth work that creates lasting change for young people across Croydon.
Over the past year, more than 3,400 young people engaged with Legacy, generating over 37,000 visits and 25,000 hours of youth work. Through a blend of universal provision and targeted support, we are reaching young people with the greatest need, including those facing barriers in education, wellbeing, and social inclusion.
Our work goes beyond activities, it builds confidence, develops skills, and creates pathways into brighter futures. From youth-led initiatives and leadership programmes to school engagement and specialist partnerships, we are delivering measurable outcomes while placing young people at the heart of everything we do.
This impact is only possible through the strength of our partnerships. Working alongside funders, corporates, and community organisations, we are able to extend our reach, deepen our support, and respond to the evolving needs of young people in one of London’s most underserved boroughs.
Behind every number is a story of transformation. With the right investment and collaboration, we can continue to grow this impact and ensure more young people have access to the opportunities they deserve.
School absence remains one of the most urgent challenges in education, with rates rising since the pandemic and often driven by complex, wider factors beyond the classroom. In response, OnSide commissioned King’s College London to evaluate how Youth Zone participation impacts educational outcomes.
The findings show that regular attendance at Youth Zones is linked to reduced school absence, particularly for severely absent and disadvantaged young people, highlighting the powerful role of youth work in keeping young people engaged in education and supporting wider efforts to tackle absenteeism.
Based on a survey of over 5,000 young people in England, Generation Isolation highlights that while digital interaction is a major part of young people’s lives, they still strongly value and seek meaningful in-person connection. Despite many turning to technology, including AI, for support, the vast majority trust real people more and feel more connected through face-to-face experiences.
Young people are clear that more affordable activities and safe, social spaces would improve their lives outside school, reinforcing the vital role youth centres play in providing connection, support, and opportunity.
