The first Young Futures Hubs have officially opened their doors across England, marking a major milestone in strengthening youth support and rebuilding a robust, preventative youth work offer across the country.
The Hubs, located in Brighton and Hove; Tower Hamlets (London), Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol, County Durham and Leeds is amongst the first of eight early adopter sites designed to respond directly to local need and provide accessible, youth‑centred support.
These new Hubs bring together careers and skills development, mental health support, community safety partners, and high‑quality youth work in one place, creating a coordinated, wrap‑around offer for young people.
The National Youth Agency is leading the delivery of the Local Youth Transformation Programme and supporting the development of the Young Futures Hubs in the Early Adopter local authorities as the projects have come together.
”“The closure of over a thousand youth centres since 2010 didn’t just take away facilities, it took away community, connection and opportunity for a generation. We are determined to rebuild that.
“These hubs are about more than bricks and mortar, they’re a statement that this Government believes in young people and is investing in their futures.
“What makes them different is that we’re joining things up – wellbeing support, crime prevention, work coaches, youth services, all in one place. We’re making sure teenagers have somewhere to go, someone to talk to and a real chance to thrive.”
Lisa NandyCulture Secretary
In Bristol the Young Future Hub, located at Full Circle Docklands in St Paul’s, in East Central Bristol, brings together youth activities and support under one roof, ensuring there is ‘no wrong door’ to accessing services.
The Hub makes it easier for young people aged 10–18 (and up to 25 for those with SEND) to get the right help, close to home – from youth clubs and sports to mentoring, wellbeing services and careers advice.
”“The Young Futures Hub programme marks the most exciting opportunity in decades to champion the power of youth work and rebuild a strong, preventative offer for young people. Bristol has already completed vital groundwork, identifying real areas of need, selecting St Paul’s as a central location, and laying the foundations for strong partnerships. Although the Hub is still in its early stages, this preparatory work is crucial. It means Bristol is well positioned to develop a model of youth support that reflects hyper-local needs while contributing to national learning about what works. The insight gained here has the potential to shape youth work practice and policy across the country for years to come.”
John MillerLocal Youth Transformation programme Case Lead for Bristol at the National Youth Agency
”“The development of the Young Futures Hubs is transformative for youth work in England. What we are already seeing in places like Bristol is the essential groundwork that will underpin a more consistent, connected and preventative offer for young people nationwide. These early adopter areas are setting out the practical foundations for the kind of youth support system our country has long needed, with a focus on trusted relationships, early help and meaningful opportunities.
“NYA has been proud to play an important role in this phase of development. Our focus has been on ensuring local areas have the guidance, evidence and youth work standards they need to design high‑quality youth provision from the outset. By supporting planning, capability building and professional practice, we’re confident this work will have a profound and long-term impact for young people, allowing them to thrive.”
Leigh Middleton OBEChief Executive, National Youth Agency
Through the Local Youth Transformation (LYT) programme NYA is working alongside a consortium of youth sector partners, UK Youth, Regional Youth Work Units (RYWUs), Young People Foundation Trusts, StreetGames, the Local Government Association, Youth Access, Solve, and the Centre for Young Lives. Together, we are supporting each local authority through a tailored review process, involving young assessors and consortium experts. This has helped areas understand their current youth offer, identify gaps, and co-design their strategies for establishing these new Young Futures Hubs that drive long-term, sustainable transformation.
The Young Futures Hubs form part of a wider national movement to strengthen and modernise local youth services outlined in the National Youth Strategy Youth Matters.
- build evidence on what works for young people
- reinvigorate open-access youth work
- support stronger partnerships across mental health, careers, and community safety
- elevate the role of early‑help, relationship‑based youth work
As NYA continues its role as delivery partner for the LYT programme through to 2027, we will ensure consistency, high‑quality practice, and shared learning across all early adopter areas.
