Luton’s Tokko youth hub re-opens after a £1.3M renovation

The funding has enabled Tokko to create a safe and vibrant community hub in the heart of the town. It’s a space that has been designed by young people, for young people.

Tokko Youth Hub aims to engage, encourage, and empower Luton’s young people to aspire, be happy and healthy. Tokko, based in the centre of Luton, supports a diverse and vulnerable group of young people. It’s in a deprived area where anti-social behaviour, knife crime and gang culture are high and young people are at risk of exploitation. Young people need a safe place to go where they can thrive. Tokko’s newly renovated Youth Hub will provide a welcoming, safe, accessible and bigger space that can support more young people.

A Celebration Event

Tokko’s newly renovated space opened to young people on 8 January 2025, and a celebration event will mark the official opening on 16 January. Young people, families, youth workers, partners and funders will be joined by Luton’s Lord Mayor, Tahmina Saleem; Bav Shah, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and Susan Lousada, Lord-Lieutenant for Bedfordshire. The celebration event will include a tour of the newly renovated youth hub and the opportunity to see young people enjoying all the new activities on offer.

Investing in Youth Work Practice

Tokko Youth Hub has been supporting Luton’s young people since 2013, but the space needed major investment to modernise, extend its reach and make it accessible to all young people. A grant from the UK’ Government’s Youth Investment Fund has transformed Tokko’s Youth Hub. The grant has enabled the renovation of its five-story building, opening up the space and making it more accessible. The funding has also enabled Tokko to grow its youth work, employing a new Youth Participation Officer and to train two youth workers to level three in Youth Work Practice

The newly refurbished space includes:

• Enhanced safety and security: The re-designed centre will be safe and secure, with the ground floor reception area having a fully functional security and entry system, ensuring the safety and welcome of young people and staff.
• Digital Hub and art space: Young people will benefit from access to digital tools, including laptops, big screens, play stations and all other kinds of gaming equipment. Plus, a new art space will give young people the opportunity to express themselves through art and craft activities.
• New kitchen: A newly designed accessible modern kitchen will be a learning space for young people to hone their culinary skills.
• A gym and climbing wall: An existing space has become a gym facility to support young people’s physical health and wellbeing. The gym will also be an attractive space that other local schools, youth projects and partners can use.
• Training and conference Room: Training space and new counselling rooms that can be used by the youth hub for skills development and shared with partner organisations.
• Child friendly space: A new third floor space, designed with 3D child friendly graphics that will used for a young parent group, supporting young parents up to 25 years with children under five years.
• Roof top space: The roof has been renovated and will create a green space with an inspiring view right across the city. Planting work will begin in Spring 2025.

The new space will enable Tokko to increase its partnerships with statutory and voluntary services right across the community. Tokko has strong links with partners, including the University of Bedfordshire, who kindly offered Tokko space for its youth work whilst the building was being renovated. Tokko is also working with the University on a pioneering project with young men designed to reduce offending and the risk of gang exploitation.

You can find out more about Tokko’s work with young people here