London is seeing youth centres are closing at a rapid speed, an increase in crime, and more working class communities slowly priced out of activities such as going to the cinema.
The need for third spaces, the term given for a space outside of work and home where people can gather has never seemed more pressing.
Ealing, like most of the city, is made up of working class communities and almost a third of the borough is classed as deprived, Office for National Statistics data shows.
Out of 196 smaller areas in the borough, 63 of them were ranked between one and three out of ten for deprivation, where one is most deprived and ten the least.
The majority of the borough was categorised between four and six (45%), with 36 LSOAs being categorised at four, just marginally above the areas categorised as the most deprived.
Overlaid with census data from 2021, most people work full time, with more than seven in ten residents working at least 30 hours a week.
The data paints a picture that the residents of Ealing, are in gainful employment, but many of them are unable to make the leap to financial comfortability.
Communities that would benefit from a space to gather, a place that’s affordable.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies conducted a study in 2024 on how cuts to youth clubs led to young people engaging in criminal activity.
They reported that young people who lost access to a youth club were 14% more likely to commit a crime, in the six years following a closure.
In the case of Ealing, figures support the theory that a lack of viable community led to an increase in criminal activity, as violent and sexual offences have increased from 842 cases in 2024 to 955 cases in 2026.
Public order offences and anti-social behaviour have also seen spikes, with the latter seeing an increase of more than 100 offences.
Over in neighbouring borough Hammersmith & Fulham, the answer to building strong third spaces lies in building something that doesn’t divide across ages but building ties across cultures.
The borough is home to both the Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK) and Culture House, established by the Somali Anti Tribalist Movement.
POSK is the largest Polish cultural hub in Europe and the Anti Tribalist Movement, while operating for over a decade,opened Culture House last year.
Intissar Yusuf, the Operations and Artistic director for Culture House, helps run everything from games night, poetry nights to the arts exhibition.
Yusuf said: “You can see it in our events. We have panel discussions that are research heavy, we have a DJ, we’ve had exhibitions on religion. We work to make the space available for everyone.”
Culture House, while primarily anchored in their mission to home Somali culture, have opened their doors to other communities who don’t have the space.
Yusuf added: “A lot of the people who come here are also from other diaspora communities. We had our first Sudanese exhibition last November.
“Once we had our exhibition, so many people from the Sudanese community felt more comfortable coming. That’s what community is.”
A spokesperson from Ealing Council said: “Ealing Council recognises the vital role community spaces play in bringing people together and supporting a wide range of local needs, from wellbeing and cultural activity to civic participation.
“We have ambitions for the future of community spaces in the borough.
“This includes making better use of our existing assets, such as opening up parts of the council’s Perceval House office for greater community use, alongside continuing to support activity in established community centres.”
Someone who has taken on the mantle of community organising is Sarah, a young immigrant who after passing her fitness and coaching qualifications, decided instead to create her own opportunities by starting sessions at the local community centre.
For the price of £2, you can take part in an hour’s exercise in Northolt & Perivale, you can work out, make friends and bask in the delight of tea and biscuits.
Sarah said: “The people who come to the sessions are always extremely positive. They always share details about what’s going on in their lives. They are always polite, kind and give their best during the sessions.
“It is absolutely important that as well as fitness there is an opportunity for the people who come to the session to socialise and use this opportunity to get to know each other. This helps to create bonds and healthy relationships between everyone.”
Join the discussion