A new hub, which will bring together services for children and young people so they can more easily find support, has opened in Newton Aycliffe.
Next Chapter is Durham County Council’s new Young Futures Hub, and part of a government programme being rolled out in pilot areas across the country.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport awarded £2 million to these areas to help develop the facilities, with a further £4m coming from the Local Youth Transformation Fund to help deliver youth services.
Based in the town’s leisure centre, the hub will help young people find opportunities in their local community, and access support more easily.
The aim is to give young people an opportunity to thrive, while improving their mental health and wellbeing and helping them to build positive relationships.
Children and young people aged 10 to 18, or up to 25 with SEND, can visit the hub any time while the building is open and they will find specific groups and sessions, as well as a space to relax and have fun. Some of the sessions will be accessed through invitation and some will be through drop-ins.
The hub offers activities such as art and craft sessions, sports sessions, volunteering, and skills-based projects, as well as social events with opportunities to cook and eat food together. There will be a particular focus on increasing young people’s confidence, building their resilience, and creating a sense of belonging.
Cllr Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We are so pleased to see Next Chapter open. It will be an important lifeline for children and young people in the area and we’re looking forward to seeing the positive benefits it will bring.
“We have worked closely with young people throughout the development of the hub, and will continue to do so, to make sure we get their views on what they want Next Chapter to become. They were clear that they not only wanted it to be a safe, inclusive and welcoming space where they can speak to trusted adults to get the information they need, but also a place where they can have fun and chill out. This is what we have set out to do.”
Following the success of Next Chapter, the local authority has been selected by the government to establish a second Young Futures Hub.
Building on the work being carried out at the first hub, the new centre will create further opportunities for young people to access joined-up support within their communities.
The location of the new building will be determined through a co-production process, during which the council will work directly with young people and partner organisations to gather their views on where it will be most effective.
