Phill Worthington

Phill has almost 20 years of experience working within multiple sectors to deliver a fairer and more equal society. After a few years in health improvement, and driven by a passion for reducing inequalities, he went back to Uni and got a 1st class BA in Youth and Community Work in 2012. Specialising in radical and ethical community development, he found the social housing sector was the perfect setting to put his knowledge and skills to good use.

Throughout 10 years in social housing he designed and delivered programmes of work across health and wellbeing, financial and digital inclusion, work, skills and economic development. Phill also led cross-sector strategic partnerships with a focus on system change and long term outcomes.

No stranger to governance, he has been a trustee for charities including Mind, sits as a Non-Executive Director for a Community Benefit Society, and has experience as Chair of the Board.

Since joining OnSide in March 2023, Phill has developed relationships with Local Authorities up and down the country, nurturing the right conditions for a Youth Zone to come to fruition in the areas where it would have the greatest impact for young people.

What inspired you to join OnSide? 

Having previously worked in senior roles in both the public and VCSE sectors, I have spent much of my career to date having to spin many, many plates. When the opportunity came to focus completely on better services for young people, I jumped at the chance. 

What’s been a memorable moment you’ve had working with the team?  

Maybe leading my first tour of a Youth Zone, or my first presentation to council leaders, or when a large corporate casually (and unexpectedly) dropped a £5M gift into our conversation! 

What was the first Youth Zone you visited and what did you think?  

I visited Wigan Youth Zone shortly after it opened when I was working in Stockport and fighting for better services for young people there. I was blown away, and that visit was a huge motivating factor in joining OnSide years later. 

What would be your go-to Youth Zone room and why?

100% the climbing wall! Although opportunities are increasingly limited with all the fun of having young children, when I do get the chance there’s nothing I love more than being in the mountains. An indoor climbing wall cuts out most of the time needed for a full mountain adventure. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

The first time I went on a plane I was flying it (via the cadets), and I nearly joined the RAF as a pilot before I had a crisis of conscience in my mid-teens (fuelled by a growing interest in politics).