Research/blog summary

This year MSc students at University of Edinburgh have been working on dissertation topics that put children’s human rights at the center of their studies. With the support of Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) and partners in the Observatory for Children’s Human Rights in Scotland, as well as NGO’s, practitioners, children and families, excellent work has been undertaken that will support our shared efforts regarding implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Scotland.

Debby Zhang

MSc Education, University of Edinburgh (2025)

About the research

This project explored how young people in Scotland use and experience what we call “third spaces” — these are public, non-commercial places outside home and school, such as parks, libraries, and youth centres. These spaces often act as a bridge between private and formal life, giving teenagers a chance to relax, meet friends, and feel part of their communities.

The study was guided by three questions:

1. What kinds of spaces do young people use, and for what purposes?
2. What barriers make it harder for them to enjoy these spaces?
3. How do these spaces influence their sense of belonging, safety, and inclusion?

To investigate this, I worked with local youth organisations, who helped share an anonymous online survey with young people aged 13–18. Fifteen young people responded. Although this is a small group, their voices provide valuable insight into how adolescents see and use their environments.

Learning from the literature

Research shows that free, welcoming public spaces are vital for young people’s wellbeing. They give teenagers chances to socialise, explore independence, and feel part of their communities. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) also protects these rights, including the right to play, meet friends, and take part in community life.

In Scotland, there have been positive steps, such as youth-led design projects and efforts to embed the UNCRC in law. But studies still show gaps: many young people, especially girls, LGBTQ+ youth, disabled young people, and those in disadvantaged areas, continue to feel excluded or unwelcome in public spaces. My study builds on this by asking directly what young people themselves say about the places they use every day.

Learning from participants

Participants described a wide range of spaces that matter to them:

• Parks and green areas: Often seen as relaxing and beautiful. Young people specifically mentioned Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh as safe, quiet, and a good place to play or sit in the sun.
• Youth centres: Valued for both the activities and the supportive relationships with youth workers. One participant said they go regularly to “Girls Group” and feel included and supported during both term time and holidays.
• Libraries: Not only for study, but also for coding, reading, and self-expression. For some, they provided a calm and creative environment.
• Shopping streets or community gardens: Everyday, accessible places close to home, often used for hanging out with friends.

What made these spaces meaningful was less about the physical setting and more about the feelings attached to them. Young people talked about being able to laugh with friends, enjoy independence, and sometimes find comfort from trusted adults. At the same time, several also described moments of discomfort, when they felt judged for being “too loud” or even asked to leave. These experiences show how fragile a sense of belonging can be when young people feel unwelcome.

Key findings

Through the young people’s survey it is possible to highlight four main points:

• Young people use public spaces that are local and accessible: Most young people relied on spaces within walking distance or a short bus ride, showing how vital neighbourhood facilities are.
• Young people face barriers to their use of public space: Many felt judged or excluded — whether told off for being “too loud,” criticised for appearance, or facing discrimination such as racism, homophobia, or ableism. Some were asked to leave by adults or staff.
• Levels of rights awareness when it comes to public spaces: While most young people knew they had the right to rest, play, and be with friends, fewer realised they also have a right to shape or manage public spaces.
• The emotional impact of positive (and negative) experiences: Small acts of support, such as a youth worker’s kindness, made spaces feel safe and caring, while exclusion or hostility left lasting negative feelings.

Why does this matter?

The study shows that third spaces are not just “nice extras”, rather they are central to young people’s wellbeing and their rights under the UNCRC. To make these spaces better, a few key points stand out:

• There is a need to invest in free, inclusive places that are easy for young people to reach.
• There is a need to balance safety with freedom: lighting and transport help, but too much surveillance can make young people feel unwelcome.
• Public spaces support relationships: youth workers and community staff often turn a space into somewhere young people truly feel at home.
• We must listen to young voices: their ideas about benches, quiet corners, or welcoming staff show they know best what works for them.

Overall, the research highlights that when third spaces are welcoming and inclusive, they help young people feel safe, valued, and ready to thrive. For adolescents in Scotland, these places are not only about leisure, they are about dignity, belonging, and the freedom to grow up in supportive communities.

My thanks to NGOs Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (Edinburgh) and Lothian Association of Youth Clubs, for all their support. And of course, to all the youth workers and young people who supported the study.

Debby Zhang

Ends

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