Asos Foundation agrees OnSide tie up enabling roll-out of youth worker career pathway programme
OnSide, which operates a network of youth centres across the UK, and online fast fashion retailer Asos’ Foundation charity have announced a new five-year partnership.
This builds on the latter’s investment in the creation of Base71, Barnsley Youth Zone (Yorkshire’s first OnSide Youth Zone).
This new tie up will support youth workers across OnSide’s four London Youth Zones to begin with, before expanding to a further six Youth Zones by 2028. The support will enable the roll-out of a youth worker career pathway programme, currently being piloted across the OnSide Network. This five-year development initiative is designed to support Junior Youth Workers with potential to progress from a Level 2 Youth Work qualification through to degree level, while continuing their paid roles in Youth Zones.
Those involved say that the partnership comes at an important time for the youth sector, which continues to feel the impact of sustained funding cuts and increasing demand. Since 2010, local authority spending on youth services in England has fallen by over 70%, leading to the closure of hundreds of youth clubs and a significant reduction in youth work roles.
35,000 young people will benefit from youth work support that aims to help them overcome challenges, unlock their potential, and create brighter futures. Backing from the Asos Foundation enables OnSide to offer a long lasting, sustainable career path for more Youth Workers, which, if successful, could be scaled up to support even more inspiring Youth Workers in the years ahead. It will also generate insights that could benefit the wider youth sector.
Jamie Masraff, Chief Executive at OnSide, says: “We are really pleased that the Asos Foundation is extending its partnership with us and bringing much needed investment into the youth sector. Youth workers are the backbone of our Youth Zones, providing guidance, support and inspiration to thousands of young people every year.”
“This partnership will enable us to further invest in their development, creating clearer career pathways and ensuring they have the tools and training to make an even greater impact on young people in their communities.”
José Antonio Ramos, Asos Foundation Trustee and Asos CEO, says: “Our pioneering partnership with OnSide cuts to the heart of the ASOS Foundation’s mission of breaking down barriers for young people to achieve amazing things.”
“The youth worker career pathway will not only deliver long-term, sustainable change for those directly involved, but also contribute to the wider success of youth work right across the country - helping drive long-term community impact. We’re proud to be extending our partnership with OnSide and are also looking forward to the launch of Yorkshire’s first OnSide Youth Zone, Base71, in Barnsley in the months ahead.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Online retail will be a key focus area at our sister title RTIH’s 2025 Innovation Awards.
The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”
He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”
“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”
Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering.
For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.
