Hadleigh Youth Hub’s Friday Night Drop-in is a vital resource for young people in a world increasingly dominated by screen time.
With 1,243 council-run youth centres closing between 2010 and 2023 due to government cuts, spaces like these are more important than ever. Recent research shows young people whose nearest youth club shut down saw a decline in academic performance.
In a world where teenagers spend an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes per day on screens, or 43% of their waking hours, the drop-in offers a break from digital distractions and provide a safe space for face-to-face interaction.
For 14-year-old Poppy, the Drop-in gives her a chance to disconnect from her phone and be present with friends.
“When we go along, me and my friends just like to hang out and talk,” she says. “I’ve made new friends since being here. If Drop-in wasn’t on, I’d probably be at home on my phone.
“I do as many of the activities as I can. I went to the board game day and I did the fashion event in the half term. I can’t wait to come to the summer activities.”
She added that she appreciates the youth workers there, saying: “I like all the staff; they are easy to get along with and I can talk to them about things going on at school.”
Daisy-Mae, 12, echoed this, saying: “I started attending with my brother, but now I go by myself now and I’ve met friends there.
“I’m not always confident when it comes to socialising, but I’ve always felt supported at drop-in. If it wasn’t on I’d most likely be at home alone, scrolling on my phone.”
Find out more about our 11-16 youth hub drop ins here.
