UK to Establish Hundreds of Youth Centers to Address Youth Social Isolation
The UK government is preparing to roll out a comprehensive £500 million investment plan in the coming years to reverse the decline in youth services seen in recent decades. The government aims to revive what it has described as a “damaged” youth services sector and to reach young people experiencing social isolation more effectively.
Under the National Youth Strategy, 250 youth centers are set to be built or refurbished over the next four years. In addition, 50 new Young Future centers will be established to bring existing services together under one roof. By 2035, around 500,000 young people are also expected to be matched with youth workers, volunteers, and trusted adults who can help them stay safe online and strengthen their social connections.
Most of the £500 million budget will be allocated to children and young people aged 10 to 21. The program is also intended to benefit young people up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs or disabilities.
Announcing the plans, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described today’s young people as “the most digitally connected, yet the most isolated generation.” She подчеркed the urgency of the challenges facing young people, noting that youth policies have been neglected for years and that this generation deserves a stronger support system. Government officials added that the new and refurbished youth centers will provide young people with “places to go, meaningful activities, and contact with adults who care about their wellbeing.”