Most youth centres struggle with engagement. The problem isn’t young people — it’s the environment. Discover how behavioural design can transform youth centres into inspiring spaces young people actually want to use.

In 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron visited my studio at Leicester’s LCB Depot to meet creative businesses in the Midlands. It was an unexpected moment that highlighted the role creative industries play in social communication, behavioural design, and youth engagement projects.

A youth centre starts influencing behaviour before any conversation begins. The design of the space — colours, layout, imagery and atmosphere — quietly sends signals about safety, belonging and possibility. In this article, we explore how thoughtful youth centre design can encourage engagement, build confidence and create environments young people genuinely want to spend time in.