We are lucky enough to be joined by Oliver, one young person who has been supported by our coaches, on the Power of Youth Day 2026. In this Voice Note, Oliver has given us his insights into the importance of community spaces and finding connection for young people.
What Oliver said:
I believe youth spaces are very important for young people to feel their best and be their best. I find lots of online communities to be great where I feel comfortable talking about my interests and hobbies with likeminded people. In the past visiting my local youth club was also very beneficial for keeping up with friendships and feeling part of a community.
These spaces are important to me because without the sense of community I start to feel more down. I would have a much greater struggle with motivation and confidence if i did not have any groups to connect with.
When I was younger, and attending my local youth club, I look back fondly at the time because it was a chance for me to connect with people from school and do fun activities together without feeling too serious or judged. It helped build my confidence and give me a reason to get outside more often.
What adults should know;
young people need to feel included with their peers or it can lead to a variety of mental health conditions. Getting support and guidance from adults is just as important as navigating modern day society can be very confusing and anxiety inducing – especially with how much social media shows off people doing well in life and the feeling of not achieving enough can really bring people down
My note about INSPIRE:
INSPIRE is a great charity that I have found this year, located in the midst of Suffolk. Their services for supporting youth are very good and the staff members are friendly and understanding. Working with them to discuss my future opportunities and skills I need to be independent has been great and really improved my mental health. I would strongly recommend them to any youth person who is feeling lost or struggling by themself. The community has lots to gain from working together and being supportive no matter what, at a time that matters most. Just letting people know that there are help options out there can really make a world of a difference.
Final Thoughts from Inspire,
Oliver’s notes show us how important youth spaces are for mental health, a sense of belonging, community and finding common ground. In an increasingly online world, young people are looking for social spaces where they can been seen and heard. We’re here to provide those spaces. If you’d like to join us at one of our drop-ins or social sessions check out what we have going on here – Young adults | Inspire
