The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched 110 youth hubs across the UK to support young people in finding employment. Local charity Blackburn Youth Zone announce that they are proud partners of this exciting unique initiative set to launch next month supporting local young people.
The Youth Hub will be based at Blackburn Youth Zone and is a brand new partnership between the charity Blackburn Youth Zone and the DWP, located at the Youth Zone. The service aims to support young people facing barriers into employment a chance to secure a positive future. This unique partnership will mean staff from the DWP will be located in the Youth Zone to host their appointments with young people. Offering young people a more enriching environment for them to feel comfortable in exploring and reaching their potential. Following meetings with their DWP work coach, young people will then be then referred to the team at Blackburn Youth Zone, who will then begin a journey united with the young person to raise aspirations and succeed in the future.
Regardless of what may be holding a young person back, the Youth Hub team will provide a wrap-around support package to ensure there is no limit to a young person reaching their full potential. Young people between the age of 16-24 will receive tailored and dedicated expert coaching; to help secure and sustain future employment, access education and training opportunities. Unemployment can have a detrimental impact on young people’s mental health, so therapeutic support is also available to help build their resilience and equip them with the tools to overcome life’s difficulties.
The team will be made up of DWP work coaches and youth employment support key workers from BYZ will work alongside each other to develop strong relationships with young people, understanding the issues they face and begin a journey united to overcome barriers and raise aspirations. Ensuring young people are work ready, through developing and building positive attitude, skills and ambition.
The Youth Zone will harness strong relationships with their network of business patron’s to enhance support through a range of exciting opportunities. Allowing young people the chance to learn and develop new skills and gain future employment, improving life chances. As a result of this incredible partnership there will be no limits to local young people reaching their potential.
Quote from Hannah CEO of Blackburn Youth Zone:
“We’re delighted to be partnering up with the DWP to support young people in creating a positive future. As Covid restrictions start to lift, it is crucial we provide our local young people with as much support as possible.
I’m really proud that the hub will be based here at the Youth Zone providing a central unique experience for all. From 1-2-1 specialist support, work experience opportunities and career advice. The Hub will provide the young people of Blackburn access to support and much needed opportunities to succeed in life.
Heather Wearden – Partnership Manager at Blackburn Job Centre.
“From the very beginning it’s been great to work with Blackburn Youth Zone, the passion and commitment they have to support local young people is incredible, this is a great opportunity to combine both sets of expertise for the benefit of out of work young people.”
Mims Davies MP, Minister for Employment, said:
“By rolling out our DWP Youth Hubs across local communities like this one in Rossendale, means young people will, importantly, be able to access vital, suitable support from our work coaches in a range of settings helping to match them with local opportunities whether it’s more training to boost confidence or focused help to assist them to move into employment.
To access the new Youth Hub at Blackburn Youth Zone, young people are being encouraged to speak to their job centre work coach. For more information please contact Mark Lawes Service Lead and Manager at Blackburn Youth Zone on 01254 292000.
