Youth Centres and Loneliness: Developing a youth specific program design and evaluation framework

This project aims to address the growing issue of youth loneliness by developing a framework to identify lonely spaces and measure the impact of Local Government Youth Centres on young people’s opportunities to build and sustain social connections. Loneliness among young people is a growing concern globally and in South Australia, with mental and physical health impacts being compared to heavy smoking and obesity. In partnership with the City of Onkaparinga and the SA Youth Forum, this project will create new insights into the spaces in and around community centres that support or hinder young people from developing social connections. Findings from the project will inform a framework for Local Governments to design and evaluate the impact of youth and community centres on loneliness in young people.