Council given £1m from government for youth hubs

A city council has received funding to develop two youth hubs for 10 to 18-year-olds as part of a government initiative to strengthen youth services across England.

Peterborough City Council has been allocated up to £1m by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to establish Young Futures Hubs, subject to approval of an implementation plan expected in March 2027.

The hubs will bring together a range of services under one roof, including mental health support, skills and training opportunities and crime prevention programmes.

Andrew Pakes, the Labour MP for Peterborough, said the funding was "fantastic" for young people in the city.

"A Young Futures Hub in Peterborough will mean somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to - the three things young people have told us they need most," he added.

The funding from the DCMS is part of a £70m national transformation programme across 42 local authorities.

Funding for Peterborough's project will include up to £125,000 in capital funding for refurbishment works and digital improvements, along with up to £300,000 in operational funding.

The council said the hubs would be youth-led and designed to help young people build confidence, develop a sense of belonging and access tailored support.

The hubs will also provide an inclusive space for young people aged up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities.

Shabina Qayyum, the leader of Peterborough City Council, said the funding reflected a preventative approach to supporting young people.

"By listening to young people, strengthening local partnerships and designing support around the realities of their lives, we can help improve wellbeing, build confidence and reduce the risk of young people becoming isolated, unemployed or drawn into harm," she said.

The announcement follows the council's approval in July of plans for a new £13.5m purpose-built youth zone on the city's Embankment.

The facility would provide what the council describes as a "safe, inclusive and inspiring space" for young people and would be operated by the charity OnSide Youth Zones, which runs 15 youth centres across the UK.

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