LONDON — Research commissioned by the Roundhouse found that 87% of 18- to 30-year-olds believe they have fewer in-person opportunities to connect with others, build confidence, and be creative outside school and work compared with previous generations. The youth arts charity said young people are losing environments that help develop confidence, relationships, and transferable skills needed to enter employment.
More than half of respondents cited a lack of safe community spaces, such as youth clubs, as a main barrier to forming community connections. One in eight respondents also felt that creative opportunities were inaccessible due to their class or background.
Outgoing Roundhouse chief executive Marcus Davey said: "This research paints a worrying picture of life for many young people in Britain today. Too often, opportunities to build belonging, confidence and creativity are shaped by cost, postcode and access – and at a time when the government is rightly championing the growth of the UK’s creative industries, we must ensure no young person is left behind."
Bafta award-winning writer Jack Rooke said: "The Milburn review is tackling an urgent crisis in youth unemployment, but I believe it’s crucially important to look at the bigger picture. The crisis facing young people isn’t just economic; it’s deep, systemic isolation, low self-esteem and loneliness." He added: "If we keep pulling up the ladder on community arts spaces and creative resources for young people, British culture will feel like one rather beige private school common room where all the stories sound the same."
Actor and associate director at the Roundhouse Daniel Kaluuya said: "I wouldn’t be here without the Roundhouse thinking differently, opening doors and truly backing ideas."
The findings come as broader challenges for young people in the U.K. persist. The number not in education, employment, or training surpassed one million in the first quarter of this year. Youth unemployment in London stands at 24.6%, compared with the national average of 14.6%. English local authorities have cut youth service spending by £1.2 billion in real terms since 2010.
Earlier this year, the Roundhouse partnered with the Centre for Young Lives thinktank to launch the Young Creatives Commission, which plans to publish a report in December with recommendations on placing arts provision on a par with sports and opening more inclusive pathways into the creative sector.