Young people from the diverse London Borough of Barking and Dagenham community play a pivotal role in shaping various services, including Youth Service provisions and the transformation plans of the Local Authority. The THRIVE consortium actively engages young individuals through regular consultations, extending beyond existing networks to include project surveys. These consultations serve as a vital channel for the authentic voices of young people, providing crucial evidence of demand, guiding delivery priorities, and shaping program design.

The THRIVE project places young people as its primary beneficiaries, actively involving them in its design and development. THRIVE Ambassadors, in addition to other groups, contribute significantly to the consultation process, identifying demand and directly influencing program design. Following the announcement of the MY Ends 2.0 fund, One2won consortium partners conducted thorough consultations to gather insights and discuss priorities extensively.

Key feedback highlighted the potential of the fund to provide individualized support for young people facing challenges, such as those often overlooked in large groups like schools or youth gangs. There was a clear demand for accessible well-being and counseling support, emphasising the need for mentors and the opportunity for young people to craft their own plans, focusing on hobbies or careers. The arts and sports provision emerged as areas of significant interest. Barriers to accessing positive activities, primarily related to availability and cost for families, were identified. Moreover, a substantial number of young people reported challenges related to mental health, particularly anxiety and depression, with a significant portion expressing a desire for support. The safety concerns of young people pointed to parks and alleyways in the locality as areas perceived as the most unsafe.