Nearly half of Yorkshire’s young people feel unprepared for adulthood, new research reveals
New findings from OnSide’s Generation Isolation 2026 report highlight growing concerns about young people’s confidence, independence and readiness for adult life, alongside the vital role youth work can play in supporting their futures.
Nearly half (48%) of young people aged 11–18 in Yorkshire and the Humber say they do not feel prepared for adulthood, according to new research published by national youth charity OnSide.
The charity’s fifth annual Generation Isolation report, based on a YouGov survey of 3,944 young people across the UK, reveals a generation facing increasing uncertainty about their futures, with many lacking the opportunities, practical skills and confidence they feel they need to navigate adult life.
The findings are particularly concerning here in Yorkshire and the Humber, where:
48% of young people do not feel prepared for adult life.
80% spend most of their free time on screens.
Only 46% feel positive about their future, with just 10% feeling very positive.
40% worry about deciding what they want to do in the future.
Just 33% feel they have opportunities to take action or make a difference on issues that matter to them.
Perhaps most significantly, just 10% of young people in Yorkshire and the Humber currently attend a youth club or centre, despite research highlighting the positive experiences and opportunities associated with youth provision.
At Base71 Youth Zone in Barnsley, these findings reinforce the importance of giving young people affordable places to spend their free time, build meaningful relationships and gain experiences that help prepare them for the future.
Are we giving young people the opportunities they need to prepare for adulthood?
This year’s Generation Isolation report moves beyond the issues of loneliness, isolation and screen time to explore a wider question: are young people being given enough opportunities to develop the skills and independence they need for adulthood?
The research found that young people in Yorkshire and the Humber are concerned about what lies ahead. Almost a third (32%) worry about growing up, while 26% are concerned about money and the cost of living.
When asked what would help them feel more prepared, 19% prioritised opportunities to learn practical life skills, such as managing money, cooking and renting a home. A further 14% wanted more opportunities to try new things and gain real-life experience.
Riley, 17, a member of OnSide’s Youth Advisory Board, explained:
“We’re not taught what being an adult is or about some of the things we need to be an adult – we’re left to figure it out ourselves.
Young people need more support that teaches them the fundamentals of life, whether that’s at college, school or a youth centre. Young people are growing up oblivious in certain areas.”
The findings highlight the importance of providing young people with opportunities to learn through experience, make decisions, take responsibility and develop confidence in a supportive environment.
The difference youth work can make
Despite the challenges highlighted in the report, the research also demonstrates the positive experiences reported by young people who attend youth clubs.
In Yorkshire and the Humber, 55% of youth club attendees feel prepared for adult life, compared with 40% of non-attendees.
Furthermore, 80% of youth club attendees in the region say attending has made a positive difference to their lives.
When asked about the benefits of attending a youth club:
54% said it had helped them make new friends.
35% said they had learned new skills.
34% said they had gained confidence.
32% said it had helped them spend less time on their phones or online.
While these findings do not establish that attending a youth club directly causes these outcomes, they highlight the valuable opportunities and support that young people associate with youth provision.
Creating opportunities for young people in Barnsley
At Base71 Youth Zone, young people can access more than 20 activities, from sport and music to cooking, creative arts and practical projects, supported by trained youth workers.
With sessions costing just 50p and hot meals available for £1, Base71 works to make these opportunities accessible to young people and families across Barnsley.
Annual membership is also currently subsidised by Barnsley Council, making it free for young people living in Barnsley.
But the value of Base71 goes beyond the activities themselves. Through trusted relationships, new experiences and opportunities to develop independence, young people are encouraged to discover their interests, develop confidence and take an active role in shaping their futures.
Mandy Carlson, CEO of Base71 Youth Zone, said:
“It’s worrying to see just how many young people don’t feel ready for adulthood, but I think we need to ask ourselves whether we’re giving them enough opportunities to prepare for it.
At Base71, we see every day what a difference having somewhere safe, welcoming and affordable can make. We see young people trying things for the first time, making new friends and growing in confidence every day. Those experiences might seem small, but they’re all part of helping young people become more independent and ready for whatever comes next.
Young people have so much potential, but they need people who believe in them and spaces where they feel comfortable trying things, making mistakes and learning along the way. That’s why youth work is so important, and why we need to keep investing in opportunities that help young people build the skills and confidence to shape their own futures.”
The real-life impact of youth work at Base71
Behind the statistics are individual young people whose experiences demonstrate the importance of having somewhere they feel supported and encouraged.
One young member of Base71 Youth Zone, who wishes to remain anonymous, has experienced firsthand the difference youth work can make.
When she first joined Base71, she struggled to form friendships and found it difficult to trust others. Through consistent support from youth workers and opportunities to explore her interests in boxing and music, she gradually began to build confidence, open up to those around her and recognise her own abilities.
She has since volunteered at Base71, supporting community events and fundraising activities, and has progressed into an apprenticeship, gaining greater independence and confidence in her future.
Her journey demonstrates how having trusted adults, positive relationships and opportunities to try new things can help young people recognise their potential and take important steps towards adulthood.
Grace Fisher, Head of Youth Work and Partnerships at Base71 Youth Zone, said:
“Base71 is an amazing facility for young people in Barnsley and the wider South Yorkshire area to make new friends, explore activities, develop new skills and build positive relationships with peers and adults.
One of the most rewarding parts of youth work is watching young people grow in confidence and begin to realise what they’re capable of. We have young people who come through our doors feeling nervous, unsure of themselves or struggling to find where they fit in.
A lot of that progress comes from the small, everyday moments with our youth workers.
We get to see firsthand how much young people can achieve when they’re given the right support and opportunities, and it’s a real privilege to be part of that journey.”
Why investing in youth work matters
The findings come as discussions continue nationally about the challenges facing young people transitioning into adulthood, including the number of young people not in education, employment or training.
OnSide is calling for greater recognition and investment in youth work, alongside improved access to safe, affordable spaces where young people can build relationships, gain practical experiences and receive support from trusted adults.
With just one in ten young people in Yorkshire and the Humber currently attending a youth club or centre, the research raises important questions about access to these opportunities.
For Base71, the findings reinforce the importance of continuing to support young people across Barnsley, ensuring they have somewhere to belong, opportunities to explore their interests and the support they need to develop confidence in their futures.
As this year’s Generation Isolation report makes clear, if we expect young people to be ready for adulthood, we need to make sure they have opportunities to prepare for it.
Read the full Generation Isolation 2026 report
The Generation Isolation 2026 report was commissioned by OnSide and conducted by YouGov, surveying 3,944 young people aged 11–18 across the UK between 5 and 24 August 2026.
