Key findings
Here are the key things we found across the survey.
What young people are asking for
Affordable places to spend time, a fair chance at paid work, support when things get difficult and a say in decisions. These requests come up across the survey. The comparisons below show where needs differ by age, gender, ethnicity and what people are doing now.
A walkthrough of the findings
Spaces & things to do
Young people want affordable places where they can spend time and meet people without having to buy something. Older respondents also ask for safe evening spaces, creative studios and somewhere that fits life after school.
- Rarely or never have somewhere cheap to go27% · 99 answers
- Agree there are enough affordable places30% · 53 answers
Rarely or never have somewhere cheap to go
Young men: 9% (34 answers); Young women: 35% (60 answers).
Asian respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 45% (20 answers), compared with 9% among white respondents (44 answers).
Agree there are enough affordable places
Young men: 38% (16 answers); Young women: 29% (34 answers).
Barriers & cost
Cost is the biggest obstacle. Travel, safety and not knowing what is available make it harder to join in too. A free activity can still be out of reach when getting there costs money.
- Cost stops them often or very often74% · 100 answers
- Safety is a barrier27% · 100 answers
- Parent or carer permission is a barrier31% · 100 answers
- Travel or distance is a barrier42% · 100 answers
Cost stops them often or very often
Young men: 63% (35 answers); Young women: 78% (60 answers).
19–25: 81% (59 answers); Under 19: 63% (41 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 83% (23 answers), compared with 55% among asian respondents (20 answers).
Safety is a barrier
Young men: 34% (35 answers); Young women: 25% (60 answers).
19–25: 32% (59 answers); Under 19: 20% (41 answers).
White respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 39% (44 answers), compared with 5% among asian respondents (20 answers).
Wellbeing
Stress and overwhelm are common. The written answers ask for mental health support, quieter spaces and people they can talk to. Loneliness is a particular concern among older respondents.
- Feel happy often43% · 98 answers
- Feel hopeful about the future often32% · 96 answers
- Feel stressed often53% · 92 answers
- Feel overwhelmed often48% · 93 answers
- Feel lonely often30% · 93 answers
- Definitely have a trusted adult outside family41% · 96 answers
Feel happy often
Young men: 39% (33 answers); Young women: 47% (60 answers).
Worries & issues
Finding work and earning enough money weigh heavily on young people. Their requests are practical: paid placements, beginner jobs, help with applications and advice on managing money.
- Worried about finding a job or earning money46% · 100 answers
Worried about finding a job or earning money
Young men: 37% (35 answers); Young women: 53% (60 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 52% (23 answers), compared with 45% among asian respondents (20 answers).
Voice & futures
Many young people feel people in power do not listen to them. They want a real say in decisions and help finding opportunities. Under-19s also ask for education that prepares them for work and adult life.
- Feel people in power don't listen (1–2 out of 5)45% · 100 answers
- Find it hard to find opportunities (1–2 out of 5)35% · 100 answers
- Education is preparing them for adult life30% · 40 answers
Feel people in power don't listen (1–2 out of 5)
Young men: 40% (35 answers); Young women: 47% (60 answers).
19–25: 32% (59 answers); Under 19: 63% (41 answers).
Asian respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 60% (20 answers), compared with 27% among white respondents (44 answers).
Find it hard to find opportunities (1–2 out of 5)
Young men: 26% (35 answers); Young women: 35% (60 answers).
19–25: 27% (59 answers); Under 19: 46% (41 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 52% (23 answers), compared with 14% among white respondents (44 answers).
Top 10 findings
The headline numbers, with the groups behind them.
1. 74% are held back by cost often or very often
Cost keeps people from taking part. Free or low-cost activities and help with travel would make joining easier.
74% of 100 who answered
Cost stops them often or very often
Young men: 63% (35 answers); Young women: 78% (60 answers).
19–25: 81% (59 answers); Under 19: 63% (41 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 83% (23 answers), compared with 55% among asian respondents (20 answers).
Most affected: Working or looking — 84% (19 answers).
Explore2. 53% feel stressed often or very often
Stress affects many respondents. They ask for accessible mental health support and calm places to spend time.
53% of 92 who answered
Feel stressed often
Young men: 41% (29 answers); Young women: 59% (58 answers).
19–25: 57% (53 answers); Under 19: 49% (39 answers).
White respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 59% (41 answers), compared with 41% among asian respondents (17 answers).
Most affected: Inner London — 62% (34 answers).
Explore3. 46% are worried about finding a job or earning enough
Money and work worries sit underneath many other answers. Paid opportunities and career routes matter.
46% of 100 who answered
Worried about finding a job or earning money
Young men: 37% (35 answers); Young women: 53% (60 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 52% (23 answers), compared with 45% among asian respondents (20 answers).
Most affected: Working or looking — 63% (19 answers).
Explore4. 45% feel people in power don't listen
Young people want real influence, not one-off consultations. Show what changed because they spoke up.
45% of 100 who answered
Feel people in power don't listen (1–2 out of 5)
Young men: 40% (35 answers); Young women: 47% (60 answers).
19–25: 32% (59 answers); Under 19: 63% (41 answers).
Asian respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 60% (20 answers), compared with 27% among white respondents (44 answers).
Most affected: Under 19 — 63% (41 answers).
Explore5. 27% rarely or never have somewhere cheap to go
There's a clear gap for local, free places to just hang out without pressure to spend.
27% of 99 who answered
Rarely or never have somewhere cheap to go
Young men: 9% (34 answers); Young women: 35% (60 answers).
Asian respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 45% (20 answers), compared with 9% among white respondents (44 answers).
Most affected: Working or looking — 47% (19 answers).
Explore6. 48% feel overwhelmed often or very often
Feeling overwhelmed is common. Young people want support that is easy to access and activities they can join without extra pressure.
48% of 93 who answered
Feel overwhelmed often
Young men: 41% (32 answers); Young women: 52% (56 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 61% (23 answers), compared with 39% among asian respondents (18 answers).
Most affected: Black — 61% (23 answers).
Explore7. 42% say travel or distance gets in the way
Being close to home, or covering travel costs, removes a big practical barrier.
42% of 100 who answered
Travel or distance is a barrier
Asian respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 50% (20 answers), compared with 35% among black respondents (23 answers).
Most affected: Asian — 50% (20 answers).
Explore8. 35% find it hard to find relevant opportunities
Young people struggle to find opportunities that fit them. Clear information, mentoring and help with applications come up in their answers.
35% of 100 who answered
Find it hard to find opportunities (1–2 out of 5)
Young men: 26% (35 answers); Young women: 35% (60 answers).
19–25: 27% (59 answers); Under 19: 46% (41 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 52% (23 answers), compared with 14% among white respondents (44 answers).
Most affected: Working or looking — 53% (19 answers).
Explore9. 31% don't have a trusted adult outside their family
Youth workers and mentors can fill a real gap for a sizeable minority.
31% of 96 who answered
Don't have a trusted adult outside family
Young men: 21% (33 answers); Young women: 33% (58 answers).
19–25: 28% (57 answers); Under 19: 36% (39 answers).
Black respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 45% (22 answers), compared with 14% among white respondents (44 answers).
Most affected: Working or looking — 68% (19 answers).
Explore10. 20% don’t know what opportunities are available
An offer is only useful if people can find it. Clear, relevant information needs to sit alongside affordable activities and practical support.
20% of 100 who answered
Don't know what's available
Young men: 17% (35 answers); Young women: 23% (60 answers).
Asian respondents report this most within ethnicity groups: 40% (20 answers), compared with 9% among white respondents (44 answers).
Most affected: Asian — 40% (20 answers).
Explore
The one issue that affects life most right now
Cost of living and money, picked by 24% (24 people).
What the written answers add
Young people want a realistic way into paid work: beginner jobs without experience requirements, work placements, help with applications and interviews, and contact with people in different industries. Paid opportunities matter alongside volunteering. They also ask for practical guidance on tax, saving and budgeting, cheaper transport and help with housing.
They want affordable places to meet, quiet spaces, youth clubs, creative activities and accessible mental health support. Having a say means influencing decisions, rather than being asked for opinions that go nowhere. Several answers ask adults to be less patronising and to offer help that fits their circumstances.
76 written answers
How these themes were counted
Themes use explicit words, not a full manual interpretation. Each answer counts once per theme and may appear in several, so totals can exceed 100%. Unmatched answers remain in All answers. These counts describe this question's written responses, not all survey respondents. Read the quotes to judge the context.
Support in jobs
Affordable things to do Financial education like tax, saving, budgeting Career exposure earlier - showing young people the huge range of careers that aren’t spoken about.
We need more opportunities for young people to gain skills that prepare them for their first job. Most places prefer people with experience, so it’s really hard to break into anything.
Actual paid work. I do a lot of volunteering but st the end of the day I need money.
They don’t give people that done have work experience a chance but if you don’t work you can’t get experience in the first place.
Work experience decisions because I feel like after sixth form life is just confusing
What this points towards
The priorities for ENDZ are clear: affordable social spaces, paid opportunities, useful learning, accessible support and decisions made with young people.
Keep joining costs low and consider travel and safety. Under-19s want better preparation for adult life; older respondents want help with work, living costs and meeting people beyond school. Young people should help decide what that looks like.