Young people in Barking and Dagenham are advocating for the creation of more third spaces
– accessible, welcoming, and safe environments outside of home and school or work where they can connect with their community. This call is amplified by growing concerns over mental health challenges among the borough's youth.
The Barking and Dagenham Adult Mental Health Needs Assessment reveals that young adults are increasingly experiencing mental health conditions, loneliness, self-harm, eating disorders, and PTSD.
National data corroborates this trend, showing a substantial rise in mental illness among young adults over the past decade, increasing from 17.5% in 2007 to 25.8% in 2023/24. Furthermore, young adults report higher rates of loneliness (10%) compared to older age groups (4-8%). Local primary care data also suggests that the mental health needs of young people may be under-recognised.
A video presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board featured Scarlett, 20, and Michael, 19, who articulated the need for these spaces. We just wanted somewhere to exist, somewhere we could talk, sit, laugh, be loud, be ourselves, without constantly feeling like we were in the way or that someone was going to tell us to leave,
Scarlett explained. Young people envision these spaces as places where they are allowed to exist
and do not need to spend money to justify their presence.
Currently, young people utilise places like school canteens, parks, libraries (where quiet is enforced), cafes (requiring purchases), chicken shops, and bus stops. While the Lifeline Centre is acknowledged as an important existing space, the limitations of these informal gathering spots are evident in the demand for more suitable environments. Councillor Jane Jones noted that while rising generation
and youth hubs
exist, there's a question about provision in the south of the borough, indicating a potential geographical gap.
During the meeting, councillors discussed the critical importance of investing in funding, staff, and activities that genuinely reflect community needs, alongside ensuring the safety and trust within these spaces. The need for young people to develop leadership skills and take ownership of these spaces was also strongly emphasised. Young people themselves stated, young people need to take initiative. We need to be willing to organise things, get involved, volunteer, create projects, speak up about what we actually want and take ownership of the spaces we're given.
They stressed the necessity of systems around us that actually champion young people, people who listen to our ideas, adults who are willing to give us responsibility, mentors that can help us tell an idea in something tangible.
Regarding funding, young people highlighted the need for investment
and funding to keep these spaces open, accessible and affordable.
The meeting agenda indicates that funding streams are being developed to support neighbourhood work, including the ICB's Transformation Fund, which will provide £500,000 over three years.
Although an application for the Macmillan and Social Finance Trailblazer Programme was unsuccessful, partners remain committed to securing additional funding. The Better Care Fund has a substantial allocation of £37,971,555 for 2026/27.
In response to the call for action, Faye suggested creating a direct response to the young people that encourages them to continue to have the conversation with us.
She also confirmed that youth hubs are coming
and lots of things that are happening which are really positive in the borough.
Councillor Jane Jones added, We need more space,
and suggested that the council has lots of spaces that we don't use,
indicating that providing physical space could be an immediate step. Matthew Cole, Director of Public Health, accepted the challenge to make this into something tangible
and committed to monitoring progress.
The ultimate goal is to foster environments where young people can eventually become the people creating and organising and leading things for their own communities.
Further details on the Health and Wellbeing Board's discussions can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.