Your article (‘A safe space to come and just be’: the longed-for radical utopian return of Britain’s youth clubs, 19 February) powerfully captures what is at stake in the slow erosion – and urgent renewal – of youth provision across the country.
Against that backdrop, the launch of the Young Creatives Commission could not be more timely. For too long, access to arts and culture has been shaped by postcode and privilege. Creative subjects have been progressively squeezed out of state schools, while youth clubs, local theatres and grassroots arts organisations have weathered years of funding cuts. The consequences are stark: millions of young people, particularly those from working-class and underrepresented backgrounds, are excluded from opportunities that build confidence, support wellbeing and develop employable skills.
