Future Youth Zone is a safe and inspiring place for young people aged 8-19 (and up to 25 with additional needs) to spend their free time in Barking & Dagenham, East London. Following the OnSide model, we offer 20+ activities every evening/weekend including cooking, boxing, music recording, a climbing wall, dance classes, a range of sports in our sports hall and a fully equipped gym. Most importantly, the positive and trusting relationships our youth workers build with young people give them someone to talk to about whatever challenges they face.

With The Bally’s  Foundation’s support, Future will launch a Mental Health Ambassadors Programme. Future’s youth workers are often the first-person young people turn to about their mental health. The programme will upskill four youth workers through mental health first aid training this year, to become Mental Health Ambassadors. Young people and staff alike will be able to identify Mental Health Ambassadors as being open and ready for conversations about mental health, removing any barriers to opening up. Youth workers from across the Youth Zone can become Mental Health Ambassadors, meaning whatever activities young people like to engage in, from sports to arts, they won’t be far from a Mental Health Ambassador.

“The pandemic has had a huge impact on the mental health of young people, so we are delighted that The Ballys’ Foundation are joining us to support young people through providing Mental Health Ambassadors within our trusted team of Youth Workers. This support will have a huge impact on young people’s futures.”

Gavin Evans, CEO