City to receive funding for youth hub pilot

Stoke-on-Trent could receive up to £1.3 million to create two youth hubs offering mental health, skills, employment and mentoring support.

The funding will see up to two Young Futures Hubs created in the city - bringing together mental health and wellbeing support, skills and training, and help finding jobs. The hubs will also provide specialist support for young people at risk of crime and exploitation.

Stoke-on-Trent is one of 42 areas selected for the national programme. The city will initially receive up to £100,000 to draw up detailed plan. Young people will be involved in drawing up proposals ahead of a planned start date of April 2027.

The city could then receive up to £600,000 a year to deliver two hubs in 2027/28 and 2028/29, subject to performance.