5 youth clubs that are making a difference in their communities
Youth clubs are a place for young people to safely gather, meet friends, access support and try new opportunities, as well as being credited with helping teens stay out of trouble. However, mainly due to funding issues, the number of clubs available in the UK has vastly dwindled in recent years.
Just shy of 500 of those run by local authorities closed their doors for good between 2012 and 2023, losing around 4,500 youth workers in the process. Three quarters of 16 to 19 year olds across England say they are now lacking in ways to connect with youth workers, according to a study by the National Youth Agency this summer.
However, during the Labour party conference in Liverpool, home secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to create 90 youth hubs to bring together services for at-risk young people, including more youth workers to help those with mental health issues or who are at risk of criminal behaviour.
Youth clubs making a difference
In light of the news, here are five youth clubs in the UK which support and offer a safe space for young people, as well as helping keep them on the straight and narrow.
Broad Plain Boys’ Club, Bristol
The Broad Plain Boys’ Club is probably best known for its connection to the famous street artist Banksy. The club hit the headlines when a mural was found next to the club, which was sold for £563,000 (with Banksy’s permission) to help fund the centre.
The artist is thought to have been a former member of the club, which has stood for 130 years. Banksy said he was a “great admirer of the work done at the club” in a letter to the centre. However, Broad Plain is now existing month to month and struggling once again following funding cut, leaving just two staff members trying to keep it running.
Birch Park Community Hub Youth Club, Nottingham
One new youth club which has been able to open this year is in Bilsborough, Nottingham, as part of a community hub. Although only opening in July, it has already been credited by local teenagers as being a “safe place to go to.”
In a BBC interview, 18 year old Jessica Berry, who grew up in care and had previously been arrested, said her life was now “a lot quieter” since being able to attend the youth club every Wednesday.
Lancaster Youth Club, London
British rapper and singer AJ Tracey credits youth clubs as having a huge part of his upbringing, such as Lancaster Youth Club in Ladbroke Grove where he was able to make music for the first time in its studio.
In an interview, AJ said he “did some things I’m not so proud of. But I didn’t lean all the way into that path because of youth clubs giving me a safe space and a creative outlet.” He partnered with McDonald’s on a scheme to fundraise for rebuilding youth services, create safe spaces and support youth worker apprenticeships.
Shrewsbury House, Liverpool
Known colloquially as the ‘Shewsy’, this Liverpool youth club has 120 year history of providing support for young people. There are 19 staff working a variety of shifts and they’re able to support with everything from CV oppetunities and refreshments to a football room to enjoy.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, a 14 year old from Everton said that without the club, he would likely be “on the streets causing trouble” and going down a path of “being mischievous, vandalising stuff, trespassing and all that type of stuff." Instead, he now volunteers for the centre during summer holidays.
'Byker Grove', Newcastle
Many will recognise Byker Grove as the BBC children’s TV series set in a youth centre of the same name in Newcastle, which starred the likes of presenters Ant and Dec and actor Charlie Hunnam.
Now, a multi-million pound grant is funding a new community project on the grounds of where the show was set, which will include a new youth club set to open in January 2025.
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