The importance of accessible, high‑quality places to go, things to do and trusted adults to talk to for young people is emphasised in the government’s new national youth strategy.

The publication of Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy marks a major step in government thinking about young people. At its core is a focus on trusted adults, safe community spaces, and enriching activities: all elements that staffed adventure playgrounds have been providing for decades. Supported by substantial new investment, the strategy aims to ensure every young person has somewhere they belong, someone who listens, and opportunities to explore, grow and connect.

The strategy was co‑produced with more than 14,000 young people aged 10–21 (up to 25 for those with SEND), and includes both new and expanded funding commitments, building on existing programmes to deliver substantial investment in youth spaces, trusted adults, and high-quality activities over the next three to four years. These include:

• • • £350m over four years for a Better Youth Spaces programme to build or upgrade up to 250 youth facilities and support around 2,500 organisations.

• £70m to expand and rebuild local youth services, with up to 50 ‘Young Futures Hubs’ by March 2029.

• £60m for a ‘Richer Young Lives’ fund to support grassroots youth providers in underserved areas.

• £15m for recruiting and training trusted adults, youth workers and volunteers.

• £22.5m to grow enrichment offers in up to 400 schools.

• Continued investment in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme (£600m over three years) with spaces and activities designed for older children and teens.

These commitments speak directly to what adventure playgrounds already deliver in London and across England: child‑centred spaces where play is supported by skilled, trusted adults, where risk is navigated safely, friendships are built, and young people can experiment, challenge themselves and belong.. As the National Youth Strategy is rolled out, there is real potential for adventure playgrounds and the playwork profession to play a central role in delivering on its ambitions, ensuring that every child has access to the kinds of spaces and relationships that matter most to their lives.

What adventure playgrounds can do:

Advocate locally and nationally
Write to your local council, MP or Mayor’s Office to highlight the value of staffed adventure playgrounds in delivering the aims of the National Youth Strategy.

Connect and collaborate
Talk to other adventure playgrounds in your borough about collective bids to Better Youth Spaces, Richer Young Lives Fund or local community grants.

Share young people’s voices
Use quotes, photos and stories from children and young people to demonstrate what trusted adults and safe play spaces actually look like in practice.