£1 million funding strengthens youth support

Young people across Newcastle are set to benefit from a £1 million investment aimed at transforming youth services and creating more joined-up support across the city.

Newcastle has been selected for the Government’s Young Futures Hubs and Local Youth Transformation programme, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The funding will support at least two Young Futures Hubs, with scope for further locations to be developed in the future.

Designed to bring services together in one place, the hubs will connect youth work with mental health support, education, employment services, community organisations and voluntary sector partners.

They aim to improve opportunities and wellbeing while reducing the risk of young people becoming involved in violence or crime.

Alongside the hubs, Newcastle will review its existing youth provision and develop a shared strategy to strengthen services, workforce development and their impact across the city.

The programme builds on existing neighbourhood youth projects and the city’s work to involve young people in shaping services.

It forms part of the Government’s national youth strategy, which aims to ensure young people have safe places to go, trusted adults to turn to and communities where they feel they belong.

Councillor Rob Austin, cabinet member for culture, communities and youth services at Newcastle City Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Newcastle and, most importantly, for our young people. 

“We have already agreed additional funding for youth services across the city and this programme will build on that investment.

“This programme will help us develop a clearer understanding of our current position and work collaboratively with young people, community organisations, partners and DCMS to shape and deliver an offer that further supports young people in our city.”

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