Young people in Cornwall are set to benefit from two new youth hubs after the Council secured funding of up to £1.5m from the government.
Called Young Futures Hubs, they aim to connect young people directly to the services that address the biggest challenges they are facing.
The hubs will provide access to trained youth workers through one-to-one support and group activities while also offering mental health support, skills and training, routes into employment, and crime prevention.
They will be co-designed by young people to ensure those aged from 11 to 18 (or up to 25 for those with SEND) can get help without having to repeat their story to different services in different places.
The two Young Futures Hubs are expected to open their doors from April 2027 with funding covering the first two years of operation.
The exact locations of the hubs have not yet been finalised but they will be based in areas with high numbers of young people where they will be needed most. It is hoped more could follow if the model proves a success.
They will build on the work done through the Local Youth Transformation Pilot, taking into account what young people said they wanted to see to help them access support.
Gabriel, Chair of Cornwall Youth Council, said:
"It is very exciting to see that young people in Cornwall are going to have access to these hubs in the near future. I think it will definitely improve opportunities for young people in the areas where these hubs are set up.
“I hope these spaces give young people a voice in shaping them through co-design, making sure they reflect what young people actually want and need. This particularly addresses the long-running issue for young people in Cornwall of rural isolation, and I think it could be a really beneficial project. I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.”
Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said:
“Young people need safe places to go where they feel welcome and supported. That's why I'm delighted that Cornwall has secured this funding to create two new Young Futures Hubs, giving young people somewhere they can have fun, build confidence, develop new skills and access help when they need it, all in one place.
“Every young person deserves the chance to do well, and this investment will make a real difference to children, young people and families in our communities. I'm incredibly pleased that we continue to be recognised for the strength of our youth services, and that we have this opportunity to build on the work already under way.”
The investment is part of the government's National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, and follows the success of early adopter hubs in areas like Manchester and Bristol.