Young people across the borough of Rochdale are to have increased access to a wide range of youth activities and support under one roof.
This follows Rochdale Borough Council being awarded an initial £100,000, as part of the government's £70 million expansion of the Young Futures Hubs and Transformation programme, to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing young people.
This includes poor mental health, unemployment and serious violence, with Rochdale Youth Service now looking at ways to enhance its existing universal offer and access to targeted support.
Through the programme, this could involve extra support delivered across the borough’s youth services, including emotional wellbeing services and personal mentoring.
It could also involve careers and skills guidance, personal development opportunities and crime prevention services to help young people receive more of the right help at the right time, closer to where they live.
This would come in addition to the borough’s existing youth clubs, sports and outdoor sessions and other social and skills-based activities provided by Rochdale Youth Service, to give young people everything they need in one location.
It will also help to boost their confidence, resilience and promote a greater a sense of belonging within their communities.
Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said:
“We are delighted to be involved in the government’s Young Futures Hubs and Transformation programme as this gives us the opportunity to explore new avenues to develop and enhance our youth service.
Our youth workers already provide a well-liked, inclusive and enriching offer to support and engage with young people, an offer much greater than other areas, and we are extremely proud of the important work they deliver.
With the use of extra funding we can expand further to provide even more coordinated support to those who need it and expert guidance to help our young people be the best they can be and reach their full potential.”
Rochdale was one of 50 local authorities to submit an expression of interest in the programme to central government, with 26 councils successful in total alongside eight early adopters of the programme.
The youth service will now begin plans to create this new offer by working with young people to co-produce a new Youth Strategy for the borough.
It will also establish a new youth alliance with local partners from the voluntary, community, and faith sector, with both elements working to identify and address how the current needs of young people can be supported, ahead of future funding being available to help deliver Young Futures Hubs.
Rochdale Youth Service already supports young people aged 11 to 19 (up to 25 with SEND) through a range of weekly activities including sports, games, outdoor education and group sessions.
This includes a range of creative and sports-based activities delivered in partnership with organisations such as Rochdale AFC and local arts organisations, alongside events and opportunities developed with community groups.
Young people are also able to access safe spaces where they can relax, socialise with friends, and take part in programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
With 4 youth centres already, and a fifth under construction in Littleborough, youth workers also provide guidance and support to those attending these centres.