"The government's Youth Matters strategy, launched in December 2025, is the first national youth strategy in 15 years. It promised 500m investment over a decade to rebuild the service with a priority of creating 50 Young Futures (YF) hubs, with eight pilot schemes in Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Leeds, Tower Hamlets in London and Newton Aycliffe in County Durham."
"To a generation raised when cuts had gutted services between 2010-11 and 2023-24, local government spending on youth services fell by 73% and more than 1,000 youth centres closed the idea of a place designed just for young people may seem as anachronistic as coach travel, but 2026 brings big changes to youth services in the UK."
Preston's new Vault Youth Zone opens opposite the city's 1969 brutalist bus station, offering a dedicated space for young people. Local government spending on youth services fell 73% between 2010–11 and 2023–24, and over 1,000 youth centres closed. The government's Youth Matters strategy, launched December 2025, pledges 500m over a decade and prioritises creating 50 Young Futures hubs, with eight pilot schemes across English cities. Young Futures hubs aim to combine mental-health and employment support, sports, arts, digital resources and safe physical spaces. Architect John Puttick and the charity OnSide develop centres for ages eight to 18 (up to 25 with additional needs) in disadvantaged areas.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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