Wood Green in Haringey launches mobile youth hub
New initiative aims to help those aged 11 to 18 (to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities) develop new creating, sporting and professional skills to unlock their potential.
A two-year pilot project has been launched in the Wood Green district of the London borough of Haringey to support children and young people to access opportunities and guidance through partnerships ranging from the local football club to government departments.
People attending the launch of the new mobile youth hub in Wood Green, photo courtesy of Haringey Council
The new mobile youth hub is funded by the local council’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and the overall aim is to foster a safer, stronger community. But what’s being offered is much more than merely a safe space for young people in the area. The hub will see vital resources and a diverse range of support brought directly into the community by forming partnerships with local providers and non-profit organisations.
The ambitious programme already includes sports programmes from the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, mentoring by tech training platform Upskill, creative and improved employability workshops provided by local organisation Mary, and employment support via the Department for Workplace and Pension’s Tottenham Job Centre Plus.
What’s more, the initiative places youth practitioners in key ‘hotspots’ across Haringey identified as requiring special intervention. The mobile nature of the youth hubs means that this kind of support can be specifically targeted when and where it is most needed.
In doing so, the new programme also aims to shift perceptions in those areas that have in the past been affected by youth anti-social behaviour and crime. The hub is one component in Haringey Council’s 10-year strategy to tackle young people at risk, which aims to tackle such issues by providing constructive outlets and pathways to success.
In fact, the idea for the hub came from local young people themselves, as it developed from assemblies held in local schools and youth centres, which identified a demand for better access to such support. That fact was recognised in the dynamic event held to launch the new mobile youth hub, where there were live games, a 360° photo booth, popcorn, slushies, and music from a live DJ. As well as the entertainment, the council’s outreach team were on hand to provide information on the range of programmes available to young people.
Local young people now have access to the new youth hub on Wood Green High Road twice a week – every Tuesday and Thursday between 3 and 6 pm – and it will then move to other locations round the borough as needed. The new facility is in addition to services already being provided across Haringey at the Rising Green, Bruce Grove and Project 2020 hubs.
Cllr Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families at Haringey Council, says: ‘Launching the Mobile Youth Hub is a crucial step in our commitment to supporting young people and creating safer communities. By bringing services directly to the heart of areas that need them most, we’re not only offering opportunities for personal growth, development, and a brighter future for Haringey’s young people but also addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and youth crime. A big thank you to the mayor’s office and our partners for developing this creative initiative which will support our young people and give them the opportunity to thrive.’
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