Newcastle has secured £1 million in government funding to help transform support for young people across the city.
The city has been selected to take part in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Young Futures Hubs and Local Youth Transformation programme which aims to improve opportunities, mental health and wellbeing, and reduce the risk of young people becoming involved in crime by creating stronger, more connected services.
The programme is in two parts:
- Young Futures Hubs will establish a national network of 50 youth-led hubs, bringing together youth work, mental health support, education, employment services, community organisations and voluntary sector partners in one place.
- Local Youth Transformation will support areas to develop a shared vision for youth services, strengthen workforce development, improve quality and maximise impact across local systems. This includes undertaking a comprehensive review of local provision, developing a youth strategy and delivering initiatives to support its implementation.
The investment will fund at least two Young Futures Hubs in Newcastle, with the potential for further hubs to be developed in the future.
Being selected for the programme recognises Newcastle’s strong track record of supporting young people through its respected neighbourhood youth projects, commitment to youth participation and strong political support for the sector.
Cllr Rob Austin, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Youth Services, 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."
Young Futures Hubs have the potential to become a vital part of Newcastle’s response to challenges such as poor mental health, barriers to opportunity and the risk of young people becoming involved in violence or crime. They will also act as a catalyst for wider transformation across the city’s youth support system.
The Young Futures Hubs and Local Youth Transformation programme forms part of the Government’s response to Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy, which aims to ensure every young person has a safe place to go, trusted adults to turn to and a community where they feel they belong.