• Teens affected by violence twice as likely to attend youth clubs 
• 1 in 5 don’t have a trusted adult outside their family 

A new landmark report from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) reveals that youth clubs are highly effective at reaching and engaging some of the most vulnerable young people across England and Wales.  

The report, which is based on a survey of 10,000 young people aged 13 to 17, is the first to establish a clear link between vulnerability to violence and youth club attendance.  

The findings show that 40% of teenage children in England and Wales attend a youth club at least once a month. But attendance rates are much higher among those directly affected by violence. For example, those directly affected by violence are twice as likely to attend: 60% of young victims and 65% of perpetrators of violence attend youth clubs, compared to 31% of those without direct experience. 

While most youth clubs are open to all children, the report indicates that these clubs are especially effective at engaging those who are more vulnerable to violence. This includes teenage children who have been excluded from school, are supported by social services, have special educational needs or report involvement in ‘gangs’.  

What works to prevent violence in youth services 

By reaching children vulnerable or directly affected by violence, youth clubs can create important opportunities to connect them with positive activities and support that could help protect them from harm. 

Research suggests that certain activities commonly offered by youth clubs may be particularly effective in preventing violence. For example, sports programmes have demonstrated positive impacts, such as reducing aggression, improving mental health and supporting better behaviour. Mentoring has also been found to reduce instances of violence and behavioural issues. 

While youth clubs provide access to other positive activities — such as art programmes, adventure and wilderness activities and detached youth work — research on these activities is more limited and their effects on reducing violence are less well understood. 

Youth clubs face ongoing funding challenges 

The YEF’s Beyond the Headlines report, published in July, reveals that annual spending on youth services in England has dropped to £448 million—less than half of its level ten years ago in real termsⁱ. This funding decline has coincided with a nearly 44% reduction in youth clubs operating in local authorities between 2011/12 and 2018/19ⁱⁱ.  

The high attendance of vulnerable groups reinforces the need to understand the role youth clubs — and the impact of their closures — may have in preventing violence. 

1 in 5 children don’t have a trusted adult outside their family 

For young people, having a trusted adult outside the family can be transformative – yet nearly 1 in 5 young people (18%) lack this kind of support. 

Among those who do have a trusted adult, teachers and school staff are most commonly named, with 58% of 13 to 17-year-olds identifying a trusted adult at school. Outside school, sports coaches (18%), doctors or health professionals (12%) and mentors (9%) also play key roles as sources of guidance and support. 

However, for the most vulnerable teenage children, support often comes from outside the school gates. For example, only 37% of recently excluded teens trust a teacher, compared to 62% of those never excluded. Excluded young people are twice as likely to trust a sports coach (35% vs. 17%) and nearly three times as likely to trust a youth worker (15% vs. 5%). Similar patterns appear for young people supported by social services, those who’ve carried a weapon and those who report gang involvement. These findings highlight the need for accessible programmes and activities that connect vulnerable children with trusted adult support. 

Secretary of State Lisa Nandy said: “This new research highlights the vital role youth clubs play in helping young people to get the support that they need and to access beneficial activities like sports. 

“That is why we have allocated more than £85 million in 2025/26 to create welcoming spaces for young people – including at least £26 million through the Better Youth Spaces programme for youth clubs to buy new equipment and undertake essential renovations. 

“By delivering our Plan for Change, we will give young people better choices and chances, breaking down barriers to opportunity and making our streets safer.” 

Jon Yates, CEO of the Youth Endowment Fund, said: “The youth sector has faced tough challenges over the past decade, with spending cuts forcing many youth clubs to close. Our data shows that youth clubs are highly effective at reaching young people affected by and vulnerable to violence, but we need clearer evidence on their impact in preventing it. That’s why we’re investing in robust evaluations and high-quality research to help the youth sector make a stronger case for sustained funding and improve support for children.” 

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Children, Violence and Vulnerability 2024 

The Youth Endowment Fund’s annual Children, Violence and Vulnerability report offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of children’s experiences with violence in England and Wales. 

This year, we have divided the findings into five individual reports, with this press release highlighting insights from the fifth and final instalment: Who has access to positive activities, youth clubs and trusted adults?  

Download the full reports here:  

Report 1: Who is affected by violence?

Report 2: What role does social media play in violence affecting young people?

Report 3: How do boys and girls experience violence?

Report 4: What do children and young people think about the police? 

Report 5: Who has access to positive activities, youth clubs and trusted adults?