Young people in Newcastle are set to benefit from a new Young Futures Hub, as the Labour Government expands support for young people across the country.
Newcastle upon Tyne has been confirmed as one of the areas selected for the next wave of Young Futures Hubs, bringing together youth services, mental health support, skills and training, employment opportunities and crime prevention support in local communities.
The hubs are designed to give young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to, while making it easier to get the right support without having to navigate a range of different services.
Young Futures Hubs will support young people aged 10 to 18, and up to 25 for young people with SEND, alongside providing access to sport, creative activities and trusted youth workers.
The expansion will see 42 new hubs established across England, building on eight early adopter areas and creating a network of 50 Young Futures Hubs. Newcastle is one of the areas chosen for the programme, alongside neighbouring Northumberland and South Tyneside.
The programme forms part of the Labour Government’s National Youth Strategy, developed with young people, and its wider investment to rebuild youth services and opportunities.
As part of the programme, participating councils will work directly with young people and local partners to design their hub around local needs. Newcastle will receive funding for the planning and co-creation stage, with further funding available to put the plans into action. Government guidance says participating councils can receive up to £300,000 for frontline Young Futures Hub delivery, up to £500,000 through the Local Youth Transformation Fund and up to £125,000 in capital funding, subject to approved implementation plans.
Councillor Ged Bell, Leader of Newcastle Labour Group, said:
“This is fantastic news for young people in Newcastle and another important investment in our city’s future from the Labour Government.
“For too long youth services have had to operate against the backdrop of years of Conservative and Lib Dem cuts and shrinking resources. We know just how important good youth provision can be, giving young people opportunities, supporting their mental health and wellbeing and helping prevent them from being drawn into crime and antisocial behaviour.
“Labour in Newcastle has continued to champion investment in young people, and this new Young Futures Hub gives us an opportunity to build on the work already taking place across our communities.
“Most importantly, young people themselves will have a voice in shaping what the hub looks like and the services it provides. We want Newcastle’s young people to have the support, opportunities and confidence they need to fulfil their potential.”
The Government’s approach requires hubs to be co-created with young people rather than designed for them without their involvement. Local authorities will review existing provision and work with young people, youth organisations and other partners to determine how the new services should operate.
The Young Futures programme is also intended to provide better links between youth provision and services tackling serious violence and knife crime, helping ensure young people at risk receive support earlier.
The announcement is part of wider government action to rebuild opportunities for young people, including investment in community sports facilities, school enrichment activities and a separate expansion of employment-focused Youth Hubs for 16 to 24-year-olds.
Newcastle Labour welcomes the investment and will work to ensure the new hubs deliver lasting opportunities for Newcastle’s young people.