Youth and community work is a long-contested profession which has been challenged and required to adapt, in order to address social and political priorities. 'Open access' youth work – which is informal, youth-centred and open-ended – has faced most criticism in favour of target-driven approaches.

This book assesses the impact of a unique youth and community space in East London, part of the 2012 Olympic legacy, created specifically to support local young people in addressing the challenges and difficulties in their lives. It gives clear and practical evidence of the significant benefits of open access youth work, with guidance on replicating best practice in similar urban environments.