First 'Young Futures Hubs' set to open as part of new government strategy
Eight pilot sites are launching in high-risk areas to tackle knife crime and decline in youth services
The Government has launched the first eight 'Young Futures Hubs' across England, in a move aimed at tackling knife crime and reversing years of decline in youth services.
What are Young Futures Hubs?
The initial hubs, located in Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, County Durham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Tower Hamlets, are the first phase of a planned national network of 50 centres.
The rollout forms part of the Government's wider National Youth Strategy, backed by more than £500 million in funding.
Ministers say the hubs will target areas with higher levels of anti-socials behaviour and youth violence, offering early intervention and support to help steer young people away from crime.
Each hub will bring together services including mental health support, careers advice and youth activities under one roof.
Young people aged 10 to 18, and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities, will also have access to trusted adults and safe spaces designed to reduce social isolation.
Why do we need Young Future Hubs?
The programme comes ahead of the Government's forthcoming strategy to halve knife crime within the next decade.
It also follows a sustained drop in youth provision over the past decade. More than 1,000 youth centres have closed since 2010, while spending on youth services has fallen by around 73%, according to government figures.
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."
Policing Minister Sarah Jones said knife crime continues to “devastate lives” and that the hubs would play a key role in preventing violence and protecting communities.
Officials say the hubs have been co-designed with young people and will offer activities such as sport, arts and volunteering, alongside practical support into education and employment.
Where will the initial hubs be located?
- Manchester: Young Futures Hub (YF Hub) network based across Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse (Moss Side), Manchester Youth Zone (Harpurhey), and Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre (Wythenshawe), with further outreach planned in six smaller neighbourhood hubs across the city.
- Birmingham: YF Hub to open in temporary location at Library of Birmingham before moving to permanent Cannon Street site from summer 2026.
- Brighton and Hove: Main YF Hub based at 67 Centre, with linked sites in central locations at Brighton Youth Centre, Tarner and Impact Initiatives, as well as in Hangleton and Knoll. Further offers in the east of the city are under development.
- County Durham: YF Hub based at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
- Bristol: Main YF Hub based at Full Circle Docklands, with enhanced provision and a connected network across five venues in Ashley, Central and Lawrence Hill wards, connecting the Hub with additional outreach in the community and schools.
- Tower Hamlets: YF Hub based at Haileybury Youth Centre in the central St Dunstan’s ward.
- Leeds: Main YF Hub based at Barca Leeds in Bramley, with additional ‘spokes’ sites at LS-TEN in south Leeds and Imagination Station in east Leeds.
- Nottingham: Main YF hub based at Beaumont Street Community Centre with plans to work with partners to provide services for all children and young people to access across the City
Further hubs are expected to open over the coming years as part of the Government’s 10-year plan to expand youth services and improve outcomes for young people.