Berkshire Youth has officially launched its new Newbury Youth Hub at the Waterside Centre, its flagship youth and community building, marking a significant step forward in supporting young people across the district into employment, training and personal development.
The hub was unveiled on Friday 17 April at a special event held at the Waterside Centre in Newbury, attended by local businesses and community partners. Developed in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the initiative will be delivered from the Waterside Centre and aims to provide tailored support to young people, helping them build skills, confidence and pathways into work.
Speaking at the launch, Berkshire Youth CEO Sarah Emery highlighted the importance of investing in young people:
“It’s more important now than ever that we provide strong, consistent support around our young people, helping them to navigate challenges and access opportunities that shape their futures.”
The Newbury Youth Hub will offer a wide range of services, including peer support sessions, community-based support, one-to-one guidance, connections with local employers, volunteering opportunities, as well as CV writing workshops and interview skills training.
Local MP for Newbury, Lee Dillon, also addressed attendees, emphasising the wider impact of youth services:
“The ability for politicians to hear directly from young people is incredibly important, and I’ve seen the value of that first-hand in policy making.
We also know that youth work has a proven impact on improving mental and physical health, while creating a sense of belonging. For every £1 invested in youth work, society can save between £3.20 and £6.40 by reducing demand on services such as the NHS.
With many youth services facing closure across the UK, the consequences are clear. There is strong evidence linking the loss of youth provision to increases in youth crime and declines in educational attainment. This is about life chances, not just activities.”
Shane Frost, Service Leader at the DWP, spoke about the importance of accessible support for young people:
“Youth hubs create safe, supportive environments where young people can navigate challenges and build their futures. One of the biggest barriers we’re seeing is a lack of work experience, and this hub is a key step in addressing that.
Although youth unemployment in Berkshire is lower than in many areas, there is still more to be done. I’m really excited to see how this develops.”
The Newbury Youth Hub reflects Berkshire Youth’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities, with the Waterside Centre providing a central, welcoming base for this vital new service.
