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The loneliness loop: How smartphones are affecting young lives

7th November 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

The debate on young people and smartphones has consistently made headlines recently, thanks to voices like Jonathan Haidt and movements such as Smartphone Free Childhood.…

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Flintoff shows need for inspirational youth workers

16th September 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

Freddie Flintoff’s touching BBC One show Field Of Dreams ended this week leaving viewers satisfied that one of England’s greatest cricketers has used his fame to put…

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Empowering young people through sports

2nd August 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

So far 2024’s blistering summer of sport has delivered a nail-biting Euros tournament, the intense drama of Wimbledon, and we’ve now launched into more than…

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From Bolton Lads and Girls Club to the Paris Olympics

1st August 2024 by Leon Crosby, Director of Operations, Blackburn Youth Zone

Twelve years ago I saw a young woman outside the door of Bolton Lads and Girls Club. She looked nervous and unsure, wondering whether to…

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My ask to all parties: listen to young people

2nd July 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

New research by The Duke of Edinburgh shows that 80% of young people under 25 feel politicians listen to their age group the least. This…

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The power of partnership

28th June 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

We've recently launched our new three-year strategy with an ambitious goal: by 2035, we aim to have a thriving Network of 35 Youth Zones supporting…

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Carers Week: “My youth workers were the light at the end of the tunnel”

12th June 2024 by Gemma, Youth Work Apprentice, Preston Youth Zone

To mark Carers Week (10-16 June), we spoke with Gemma, a former Wigan Youth Zone member who's now completing a Youth Work Apprenticeship with Preston…

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Five ways to elevate your volunteering offer

6th June 2024 by Tamara Hitchen, Volunteer Coordinator, Blackburn & Darwen youth Zone

I’m Tamara, and I’ve been a Volunteer Coordinator at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone for two years. During this time, I’ve revamped our volunteer offer…

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Young people need social spaces, not social networks

22nd April 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

You’ll often hear that there is nothing certain in life besides death and taxes, although a close third is probably our tendency to complain more…

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Nurturing Creativity in Young People

2nd April 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

In today's digitally dominated world, providing in-person opportunities to nurture the creative potential of young minds is more crucial than ever. Art and creative activities…

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A call to back youth

29th February 2024 by Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive, OnSide

It's tough to be a young person in the UK right now. The aftermath of covid, rising child poverty, cost-of-living crisis, and record levels of…

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Mental Health Advocacy in Youth Work

22nd February 2024 by Rosealla Williams, Wellbeing Worker, Legacy Youth Zone

I’m passionate about being an ambassador for mental health as it’s something that’s personal to me with members of my own family facing challenges with…

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