Teenagers right now feel that they require more youth services. Feltham Young activists, with the help of Reach Academy, hope to bring an OnSide Youth Zone to Feltham. If done, the youth centres could drastically change the town for young people. It has been referred to as a potential “game changer” for Feltham.

OnSide is a national charity which funds and builds youth centres in areas of UK that are financially challenged. This aims to help young people in various ways, including staying out crime. The youth centres provide arts, sporting activities and more, whilst staying open every day of the week. The addition of this in Hounslow, especially in an area like Feltham would be incredibly impactful, as it offers a variety of opportunity for young people.

Moreover, these youth centres also help teenagers as it delivers a safe space away from harm. Many teenagers have stated that they don’t feel safe in parts of east Hounslow such as Feltham and situating a Hounslow youth centre here could be very beneficial.  Since there are little facilities in the area, it prevents teenagers from wandering around streets and getting up to mischief. If implemented, the youth zone would definitely uplift the whole community and improve morale for teenagers across the borough. 

However, there are concerns about the cost for the youth centres. Councillor Lily Bath states that it would cost 9 million pounds to build this. Although a large portion would be funded by private investors, the rest would have to come from the Borough’s council.