In late August, the Young Ideas team and four young facilitators hosted a symposium in Runcorn, exploring access to space and property – who gets it, who doesn’t, and why that matters. Held in an enormous warehouse in Runcorn, that was previously full of inflatable apparatus, the setting immediately highlighted the idea of physical space, setting the tone for an energetic and participatory day of dialogue, questions and delicious Persian cuisine from Kazem at Mr Boy Food.
Collectively we decided to reject the traditional conference format with its rigid speaker/audience divide. Facilitators Darcie, Emilie, Josh, and Phoebe curated a series of fishbowl-style conversations. This setup allowed anyone in the audience to physically join the panel and contribute to discussions as they unfolded, creating a dynamic and responsive space for ideas to emerge.
Conversations explored themes including:
• Third spaces – and what it means to lose, occupy, or create them
• Hierarchies in space – who feels entitled to be where, and why
• The role of policy, design, and community activism in rebalancing access
Darcie’s reflection on ‘Third Spaces’
Darcie co-hosted a conversation on third spaces, alongside panellists Amy from PLACED, Ismaeel from EnviroClean, and Michelle from Active Minds. The panel discussed how these in-between, often overlooked spaces – not home, not work – are vital for connection, identity, and rest…
The group unpacked how race, class, and age influence access to and comfort within these spaces. While online communities like Reddit and Discord were acknowledged as important safe havens for marginalised groups, the consensus was that these virtual spaces can’t fully replace the tangible, personal connection of a shared physical environment. Unquestionably, the consensus was that there is a human need for more third spaces, or at least a replacement of the ones we have lost over time.
