Blackburn with Darwen (BwD) has thoughtfully harnessed national investment and local infrastructure to craft a dynamic, community-centered model. The borough retained eight children’s centres - four of which have been transformed into vibrant family hubs, while the remaining four operate as linked satellite children’s settings. Each site serves a unique neighbourhood, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage across the borough.
The Approach
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Youth Investment Fund (YIF) has been a catalyst for revitalising youth service infrastructure and unlocking the potential of local assets. BwD’s team successfully secured approximately £9 million in YIF funding. This investment fuelled the refurbishment of key settings and enhanced access to youth provision across different wards.
One standout transformation involved reimagining a large area within a local children’s centre, turning it into a vibrant youth hub featuring:
- A spacious group work area
- A music and creative arts studio
- A fully equipped kitchen
- A chill-out lounge
- A gaming room
- An outdoor area optimised for youth activities
YIF funding paved the way for bespoke youth-friendly environments embedded within children’s and neighbourhood centres. These spaces were thoughtfully designed, informed by public health data, to target wards with the highest levels of need.
- One setting operates exclusively for youth work in the evenings and offers daytime sessions tailored to school non-attenders or NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people.
- Two other sites provide afternoon and evening youth activities, expanding access and choice.
Family Hubs and Youth Provision
Of the eight sites, three family hubs are scheduled to launch by October, with hopes to secure funding for the fourth. Half of these hubs will include youth activities, with a focus on:
- Valuing existing community assets
- Maximising evening availability
- Delivering integrated services for children, young people, and parents/carers
- Ensuring young people can access spaces without waiting for daytime activities to end
- Elevating youth provision from a secondary concern to a core priority
This strategy champions dedicated youth spaces over shared ones, boosting usage rates and operational flexibility. Family hubs, ripe for modernisation and investment, offer ideal environments for vibrant youth services.
Health partners also use these spaces, supporting young people’s wellbeing directly. Positioned at the heart of communities, the hubs enhance accessibility and reinforce their relevance.
Youth teams operate from these venues and actively engage through outreach and detached work in neighbourhoods, extending their reach beyond physical centres.
Challenges
While YIF has been transformative in creating dedicated youth spaces, the latest funding round from the Social Investment Business (SIB) presents hurdles - particularly the requirement for upfront payments and reimbursement, which can be a significant barrier for many charities.
Efforts to construct new youth-focused buildings continue but face financial constraints, especially regarding fixtures and fittings. Meanwhile, in another deprived part of the borough, plans are underway to refurbish a children’s centre and create fresh youth spaces.
Looking Ahead
Urban density limits green spaces, which are often distant and require travel. As a result, local neighbourhood youth provision remains essential, often delivered from community centres or school playing fields.
- There is an increasing demand for SEND-specific provision, especially for children and young people with high needs who require personal care and one-to-one support.
- Although buildings are physically accessible, the council’s youth services are unique in providing substantial leisure and informal education opportunities for children with complex and profound needs.
Plans are progressing to establish leaving care hubs designed to offer:
- Safe, welcoming spaces for care leavers
- Opportunities to socialise and build friendships
- Access to trusted adults
- Practical facilities such as washing machines and lunch areas
For Further Information
Imran Akuji
Head of Service – Partnerships, Intensive Support, Policy & Performance
Children's Services
Email: [email protected]