The National Youth Strategy is being unveiled today by the Government
It aims to fight the what has been described as a “youth isolation crisis” by building more dedicated facilities, setting up a network of 50 “young futures hubs” and recruiting more specialist workers.
Manchester is one of eight areas where the first hubs are to be operational by March 2026
The 10-year plan aims to give 500,000 more young people access to a trusted adult outside their home and equip them with skills to boost their resilience and stay safe online
Local government spending on youth services fell by 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23, with more than 1,000 youth centres closing and over 4,500 youth worker roles being lost.
The Prime Minister has spoken of young people being “collateral damage” over the past decade and how this must be turned around, with the government investing in the potential of young people – offering them the chance for real life connections to support their talent and potential.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“The challenges facing young people today are urgent and demand a major change in direction. For too long, youth policy has been an afterthought. This generation deserves better.
“Young people are the most digitally connected but also the most isolated in generations with many wanting more meaningful real life connections. Young people have been crystal clear in speaking up in our consultation: they need support for their mental health, spaces to meet with people in their communities and real opportunities to thrive. We will give them what they want. Today’s National Youth Strategy puts young people at the heart of decision-making and begins to rebuild the youth services that were decimated over the past decade.
“From Young Futures Hubs in local communities to hundreds of millions of pounds invested in youth facilities to transforming the services that support them – we will give young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing. They have spoken – now we’re delivering for them.”
