Youth Charter response to the Government’s Young Futures Hubs Initiative and Royal Endorsement
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
The Youth Charter warmly welcomes the Government’s announcement of the Young Futures Hubs initiative as a positive and timely intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable young people at risk of violence, exploitation, and mental health challenges.
We particularly recognise the value of this effort in the context of the long-term, place-based community investment needed to address historical deprivation and disadvantage. As an organisation with a 32-year legacy rooted in social and cultural responsibility, we see clear synergies between the Young Futures Hubs and our Community Campus Model, which was re-energised by the legacy commitments made during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Our Community Campuses, anchored in sport, physical activity, art, culture, and digital inclusion have been developed to create safe spaces and support pathways for young people, especially those from disaffected and disadvantaged communities. These environments bring together education, employment, health, and citizenship services, echoing the joined-up, wraparound approach of the Young Futures Hubs as described in the Government’s Plan for Change.
We also welcome the Royal endorsement of this work through His Majesty The King’s Youth Opportunity Summit and ongoing engagement from members of the Royal Household. The Youth Charter has previously contributed to such dialogue and remains committed to supporting the national and Commonwealth efforts to empower youth, particularly in collaboration with grassroots, community-led stakeholders.
In light of this, we extend an open invitation for dialogue and partnership with the relevant government departments and coalition stakeholders to ensure the Community Campuses can complement and strengthen the impact of the Young Futures Hubs. This includes sharing evidence from our work in the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, London, and international settings, demonstrating how sport and physical activity can be powerful tools for youth development, diversion from violence, and community regeneration.
Together, we believe a shared commitment to prevention, opportunity, and equity can create meaningful change for young people across the UK and beyond.
Professor Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL
Founder and Chair, Youth Charter
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