The Government has announced plans for 42 new Young Futures Hubs across England, creating more opportunities for young people to access support with some of the biggest challenges they may face.
The new hubs will bring together a range of support for young people, including mental health and wellbeing services, youth services, employment and skills support, and help to prevent crime. The aim is to make support more accessible within local communities and help young people get the right support at the right time.
The announcement builds on eight early-adopter Young Futures Hubs that are already operating across England. The new hubs will form part of a wider approach to supporting young people and improving access to early help.
Read the full Government announcement about Young Futures Hubs
Young People Helping to Shape the Hubs
At YPAS, we are particularly pleased to see the importance of young people’s voices and co-creation reflected in the development of Young Futures Hubs.
We are proud that Grace, a young person employed by YPAS, and Suziie, our Participation Coordinator, were both members of the External Working Group for Young Futures Hubs.
Their involvement provided an opportunity to bring young people’s experiences, ideas and perspectives into the development of the programme. Through the External Working Group, they contributed to work to:
- Help shape guidance for local authorities;
- Promote meaningful co-creation and co-delivery with young people;
- Contribute to shaping the mental health offer within Young Futures Hubs; and
- Ensure that the experiences and views of young people were considered in the development of the hubs.
YPAS Participation Coordinator Suziie Davis said: “It’s been a pleasure to be involved in co-creating the guidance. These hubs are a vital national provision that will make meaningful and lasting change for children and young people. They allow us to help them shape their own futures, ensuring their voices and experiences are at the heart of the support they receive.”
The development of Young Futures Hubs is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the support available to young people. We are pleased that youth voice and participation have been central to this work, demonstrating the positive difference meaningful participation can make when young people are given a genuine opportunity to help shape change.