Youth Hub Launches in Rossendale, Offering Essential Support for Young People to Kickstart Their Careers

A new Youth Hub will open its doors in Rossendale on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, providing a comprehensive range of services aimed at supporting local young people. Situated in two convenient locations, the hub will offer vital assistance including CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice, and careers guidance, all under one roof.

The establishment of these Youth Hubs comes in response to the concerning statistic of nearly one million young individuals in Great Britain who are currently not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET). To address this issue, the Government has committed to opening Youth Hubs in every local area, ensuring that essential support is readily accessible to young people.

Government Investment and Commitment

This initiative is part of a broader investment of £2.5 billion by the Government, aimed at providing every young person with the opportunity to either earn or learn. The Youth Hubs will serve as collaborative spaces where Jobcentre Plus, local authority services, employers, and training providers can come together to offer essential support aimed at helping those aged 16 to 24 get back on the path to success.

For Rossendale residents, the Youth Hub will be located at the Adrenaline Centre in Haslingden on Mondays, while on Wednesdays and Thursdays, it will operate from Futures Park, Rossendale Borough Council Business Centre, Spoke-Bacup. This strategic placement ensures that young people in the area can easily access the resources they need.

A Network of Support for Young People

The Rossendale Youth Hub is part of the Government’s ambitious plan to establish a Youth Hub in every local area across Great Britain, thus creating a national support network for the nearly one million young people facing barriers to education and employment. Each hub will adhere to a set of minimum standards, guaranteeing that young people can receive on-site jobcentre assistance alongside mental health and housing support, skills training opportunities, and direct connections to employers offering live job and apprenticeship vacancies.

Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, emphasised the significance of this new hub, stating that it represents a major advancement for young people in Rossendale. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all young individuals, regardless of their background, have access to opportunities that allow them to earn, learn, and thrive.

Collaborative Efforts for Tailored Support

The Rossendale Youth Hub will collaborate with various local partners, including WorkWell, Citizens Advice, Rossendale Borough Council, and Active Lancashire’s Rossendale Works programme. This partnership aims to deliver customised support that aligns with the specific needs of the local economy, helping to eliminate barriers to employment and fast-track pathways into the workforce.

Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the importance of providing young people with the necessary support and opportunities to take meaningful steps forward in their careers. She noted that finding work or training extends beyond merely submitting applications; it encompasses building confidence, receiving support, and accessing opportunities.

Future Expansion of Youth Hubs

This investment in Rossendale represents a significant opportunity for local youth, as it brings together a diverse range of support services through partnerships with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Active Lancashire, Burnley College, and other stakeholders. The Government plans to expand the Youth Hubs initiative across Great Britain over the next three years, with new locations set to open in cities ranging from Manchester and Salford to Dundee and Newport.

In summary, the Youth Hubs will cater to individuals aged 16 to 24, providing integrated employment support through collaboration among national and local partners. The ongoing rollout of Youth Hubs is a crucial component of the Government’s Youth Guarantee, ensuring that young people have the resources and support they need to succeed in their future endeavours.