Eight new “youth hubs” will open across England The Government has announced this morning including one in Manchester
Designed to provide joined-up support for young people, the Hubs bring together services including mental health and wellbeing, employment support, and crime, including knife crime prevention, all under one roof. Young people will be able to access trusted adult mentors, careers guidance, and positive activities such as sport, arts and volunteering.
Hubs will build on existing services, and create safe, welcoming spaces bringing a range of local support services under one roof. Young people aged 10-18 (and up to 25 for those with SEND) will have access to trusted adults who will provide wellbeing support, careers guidance, and positive activities like sport, arts and volunteering.
In Manchester Young Futures Hub (YF Hub) network based across Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse, Manchester Youth Zone in Harpurhey and Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe with further outreach planned in six smaller neighbourhood hubs across the city.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“The closure of over a thousand youth centres since 2010 didn’t just take away facilities, it took away community, connection and opportunity for a generation. We are determined to rebuild that.
“These hubs are about more than bricks and mortar, they’re a statement that this government believes in young people and is investing in their futures. What makes them different is that we’re joining things up – wellbeing support, crime prevention, work coaches, youth services, all in one place.
“We’re making sure teenagers have somewhere to go, someone to talk to, and a real chance to thrive.”
This comes as the Government launches its plan to halve knife crime within a decade. Titled “‘Protecting Lives, Building Hope”, it will save lives, transform the futures of young people and protect communities across the country. The Government will support young people so they get the best start in life, stop those at risk from turning to knife crime and police our streets to catch and punish perpetrators.
