What’s Happening?

There are a national picture and a local picture:

The National picture:

– Government funding for the 24 Early Support Hubs across the country ends in March 2026.

– This means Early Support Hubs are losing vital financial support unless new funding is secured.

– The Government plans to introduce Young Futures Hubs, but only 8 sites will open by March 2026, leaving a gap in provision. Overall, 42 more Youth Future Hubs will be rolled out cross the country in the next two years.

– Youth Future Hubs and the decisions about they will be located is being decided using Youth Crime data only.

– Meanwhile, with no transition funding available or a joined up way of approaching the vision for Hubs, the models which have been established over the last two years will be lost.

The local picture:

– The loss of HOME will be devastating for young people across Barnsley.

– As the only non-clinical, open access, youth work focussed offer in Barnsley, the result will be that young people will be where we were five years ago, with referral only, specialist services available which require a high threshold and have long waiting times.

Why This Matters

– HOME has supported over 1,000 young people since opening.

– We reach the most vulnerable groups, including:

LGBTQ+ young people

Those affected by poverty

Neurodiverse young people and those with SEND

– Without funding, early intervention services will disappear, increasing risk of crisis and pressure on NHS services.

Key Messages for Young People

– HOME is still here for you right now. We will continue to provide the current level of support until March 2026.

– We are working hard to secure funding so the Hub can stay open, and we will still be here in some form we’re just not sure what that will look like at the moment.

– You can help make a difference by joining the campaign:

– Sign the petition

– Share your story (if you feel comfortable)

– Write to your MP or councillor

– Your voice matters. This campaign is about protecting support for young people like you.

We have been working in Barnsley for over ten years, delivering a range of projects, services and support to young people as the Participation Lead for young people for the five-year Future in Mind Programme. Our Barnsley projects are now based at HOME with work taking place both within the Hub and across the town in education and community settings. At the Hub young people also access early-help support provided by a range of partners who deliver some of their services there and through partnership projects.

Sign our petition: Link coming soon, watch this space

Campaign with us: We have met with young people and they are beginning their own campaign. 

UK Youth are encouraging people to share their thoughts on the New National Youth Strategy. We are concerned about the lack of specific mental health support in the strategy and the impact on the Early Support Hubs model with the introduction of the Youth Future Hubs – there has been a lack of joined up thinking.

Find out more here

What is #FundtheHubs?

Fund the Hubs is an ongoing national campaign calling for a network of early support hubs across the country, which would provide young people somewhere to go when they first start to struggle with their mental health.

Click here to find out more.