Fleetwood Youth Hub: A place to be free and be me

Young people in Fleetwood have a safe place to be themselves. A new film created by Heyday UK shows the huge difference that the Youth Investment Fund is having on youth services and young people’s lives. In the film, you’ll meet some of the young people that love Fleetwood Youth Hub, a new space delivered by Fleetwood Town Community Trust.

Young people talk openly about the impact of having a safe place and trusted youth workers to support them.

As one young person says:

“I feel free and happy to be me.”

Young people talk about the importance of having somewhere safe to be, keeping them off the streets.

“If I wasn’t here, I’d be bored at home.” “We’d be out on the streets and really cold.”

Fleetwood Youth Hub is a place where young people can thrive. A grant of over £1 million from the Youth Investment Fund has transformed the former and dilapidated hospital building into a colourful, vibrant and safe space where young people can make friends and explore their passions. It’s a place that young people have co-designed, so there’s a real sense of ownership and agency.

The state-of-the-art Youth Hub opened its doors to young people in June 2024. The look and feel are amazing, with a funky and colourful beach hut theme, reflecting Fleetwood’s coastal location. New facilities include plenty of space to chill out with friends, a digital hub, lots of gaming tables like football, ping pong and air hockey tables, gaming consoles, speakers and arts and crafts supplies.

In the film you’ll also meet Joe Stockwell, Youth Engagement Manager for Fleetwood Town Community Trust. Joe reflects on years of underinvestment in youth services and its profound effect on young people, and why the Youth Investment Fund has been a lifeline.

Joe says:

“When the Youth Investment Fund came out, for a town like Fleetwood that had nothing, it was amazing! We opened in June and since then it has grown and grown. We’re getting in excess of 50 people, even more sometimes. To that point we’ve had to cap it because of health and safety and safeguarding. But it shows the need for youth services in Fleetwood.  And if they keep returning, we are doing something right!”

Young people love the bright and colourful setting. “I like it because there’s different art on the walls and it looks really cool.”

More than anything young people value its safety and having a space to freely express themselves.

“I love the Speak-up” sessions, where people can talk about mental health issues, and it really helps my mental health”