Edgware Youth Centre Launches Successful Girls-Only Sessions

Unitas Youth Zone in Edgware has launched a successful weekly girls-only programme named HERspace, a month after its introduction. The initiative was developed to address specific needs and concerns raised by young women and their parents regarding participation in youth activities.

Addressing Participation Gaps and Safety Concerns

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Data from Unitas Youth Zone indicates that girls' involvement in junior sessions (ages 8-12) is double that of senior sessions (13-19). This trend mirrors national findings where adolescent girls disproportionately disengage from organised activities. Connor Lynch, head of youth work at Unitas, stated that conversations with girls and parents consistently highlighted issues such as male-dominated environments, safety worries, and a lack of spaces designed specifically for girls. He explained that HERspace was created not to exclude boys, but to address these patterns and provide an environment where girls feel safe, seen, and empowered.

Rochelle Mills, programme manager and deputy safeguarding lead, noted that parents frequently expressed concerns about their daughters travelling home after regular youth club sessions, which can finish as late as 9pm. To mitigate these worries, HERspace was scheduled for Saturday afternoons, reducing the need for late-night travel. The programme's design also directly incorporated feedback from young women.

Girls Shape Their Own Space

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Young women involved in HERspace, such as 14-year-old ambassador Meena, described it as a place where they can simply be themselves without pressure or judgment. Shinaia, another ambassador, called it "a place that gives me freedom" where she and her friends feel comfortable trying new activities and supporting each other. She also mentioned that while she participates in mixed sessions, HERspace offers a welcome respite from unwanted attention. Mills added that the programme allows girls to gain confidence in a supportive setting before potentially rejoining mixed activities.

The programme's development involved the girls themselves in naming, branding, and suggesting activities. Rochelle Mills shared that the team had initially hoped for around 50 participants per week, but the launch event attracted 155 girls. Since then, weekly attendance has averaged between 80 and 90, a significant increase compared to the previous low percentage of girls in mixed sessions. Mills highlighted this strong turnout as evidence of a clear need for such a dedicated space.

Activities and Impact

Activities offered at HERspace include DJing, painting, cooking, volleyball, basketball, and boxing. The atmosphere during sessions has been described as vibrant and relaxed, with girls engaging freely in various pursuits. Mills observed that the girls appear more at ease in HERspace, a feeling she wished she had experienced during her own youth.

Connor Lynch expressed pride in the young women involved, hoping they recognise the positive impact they are making. The success of HERspace suggests a strong demand for tailored youth provisions that address specific gender-related concerns and promote active engagement among adolescent girls.