Areas of high anti-social behaviour have been targeted for the first wave of the hubs
(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
Bristol has been chosen as one of eight places across England to get a dedicated youth hub as part of a Government initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour and knife crime.
Eight young futures hubs are set to open in Bristol, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, County Durham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Tower Hamlets.
The youth centres will help young people aged up to 18 with employment advice, health and wellbeing, and are also aimed at preventing them from falling into a life of crime.
Areas of high anti-social behaviour have been targeted for the first wave of the hubs, but they will be among 50 which will open across the country.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “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.”
Young people aged between 10 and 18, as well as those with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) up to the age of 25, will be able to access services at the youth centres.
The drive to open new youth hubs comes amid a Government crackdown on knife crime due to launch this week.
Ministers are hoping to halve knife crime over the course of a decade as part of a plan called Protecting Lives, Building Hope.
Sarah Jones, the policing minister, said: “Knife crime devastates lives. Behind every statistic is a child who didn’t make it home, a family whose world has been shattered, and a community left with fear. This Government will halve knife crime within a decade, saving lives and protecting communities.
“We will roll out young futures hubs in crime hotspots across the country to divert young people from violence, cut crime and protect communities.”
