Our Mission 🚀
Our mission is simple, we work to empower young people to turn the places that they live, into places that they love.
MAKING THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE
MAKING THE DISENGAGED, ENGAGED
MAKING THE EXCLUDED, INCLUDED
MAKING THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE
Our organisation is rooted in one powerful belief: that young people are not the problem in our towns and cities, they are the missing partners.
Despite being one of the most entrepreneurial, connected generations we’ve ever seen, they’re often excluded from shaping the world around them. This has been well evidenced in research commissoned by property firm Grosvenor, which found that 9/10 young people had never been asked about how they would improve their neighbourhood.
We believe it’s time to flip the script and place young people right at the heart of decision-making about the future of our town and city centres.
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9 / 10 young people have never been asked about how they would improve their neighbourhood.
– Research by Grosvenor (2020)
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1 in 5 children aged 10 to 15 years old say that they "often feel lonely".
– State of the Nation report
MAKING THE disengaged, engaged
In a time where youth loneliness has become one of the defining societal issues, with 1 / 5 young people saying they often feel lonely, the need for creating connection and community has never been more urgent.
Place For Youth exists to change that. Through delivering initiatives like The Teenage Market we provide opportunities for young people to collaborate, co-create and connect with their peers in public space.
We’re not just tackling disengagement — we’re building belonging and tackling the youth loneliness epidemic, one connection at a time.
MAKING THE excluded, included
Many young people across the UK face economic and social barriers that hold them back from opportunities — whether it’s being unemployed, being not in education or training (NEET), or experiencing financial or mental health challenges.
Our work ensures those at risk of social exclusion aren’t left behind. By delivering free, accessible opportunities, hands-on enterprise training, and mentoring support, we enable young people to build confidence, develop skills and feel real pride in their achievements.
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1 in 4 children aged 8 - 16 with a mental health issue had parents who could not afford to pay for extra-curricular activities
– Research by NHS England (2023)
EXPLORE OUR IMPACT
We give young people a free, low-risk start to test ideas, build confidence and earn from their creativity. From first stalls to first shops, the outcomes are real and lasting — skills gained, networks formed, futures unlocked.
Explore Young People’s Stories
Our youth-led model energises town centres, grows footfall and creates a pipeline of local enterprise. Partners use it to diversify markets, animate public space and build the next generation of independents.
Explore Location Case Studies