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Our Team

Steve Anderton

Openings Manager

Steve joined OnSide in May 2023 as Openings Manager after spending six years at The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead. He was one of The Hive’s original team members in 2017 and became the Lead Youth Worker for its Senior members.

During his time with The Hive, Steve also spent a year at Future Youth Zone in Barking and Dagenham across two spells, as assistant Head of Youth Work in 2019, when he also completed OnSide’s Talent Academy, and Interim Head of Youth Work in 2021.

Steve also has eight years of experience Youth Worker prior to joining The Hive, working with the Local Authority’s sports development, youth work, and outreach teams.

He is passionate about the impact youth work can have on young people’s lives and providing opportunities and support for young people to enable them to be the very best version of themselves.

After witnessing first-hand the impact Youth Zones have on young people and their communities, he was keen to provide that opportunity for even more young people across the country. His role at OnSide sees him focus on the opening of Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby.

Steve works closely with young people and the new Horizon team to ensure the Youth Zone has a successful opening and the best possible foundations to support thousands of young Grimbarians.

What inspired you to join OnSide? 

After working in Youth Zones for the previous 6 years prior to joining OnSide it was important to me to be able to share the opportunities a Youth Zone presents to its community and the impact it has to other young people across the country.  

What’s been a memorable moment you’ve had working with the team?  

There have been many favourable moments of working with the team including the FREDIE and Values group, but my highlight so far would be working with the youth work team and wider network to take 50 young people from across the country on a summer residential to the Lake District. 

What was the first Youth Zone you visited and what did you think?  

The Hive Youth Zone. I was blown away by the facilities available for young people, and excited and proud that I would be working in such an incredible space that provides the very best services for the communities it serves. 

What would be your go-to Youth Zone room and why?

The salon/wellbeing room – Similar to going to the barbers/hairdressers for adults, I find this space to be where young people feel safe to open up. Conversations between young people and youth workers happen organically helping to build rapport and trust. This supports the young people’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

I have raced pigeons and been part of a pigeon racing club for over 30 years. 

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