Celebrating Newbury’s New Youth Employment Hub

Across the country, youth services have been shrinking for more than a decade, leaving many young people without safe spaces, mentors, or guidance when they need them most. When youth provision disappears, the consequences ripple far beyond the individuals affected. Communities see higher levels of antisocial behaviour, poorer mental health outcomes, and reduced educational attainment. Youth support is essential for our young people and the future of our communities.  

West Berkshire is no exception. The 2025 West Berkshire Youth Survey paints a stark picture of the pressures young people are facing. Many reported concerns about mental health, safety and online abuse, highlighting just how vital accessible support services are for this age group.

At the same time, youth vulnerability indicators are rising. Recent figures from the Youth Justice Team in West Berkshire showed shocking increases in truancy, drug use, and school exclusions in 2024. These trends underline the urgent need for early intervention, structured support and positive pathways for young people.  

That’s why the opening of the Berkshire Youth Employment Hub in Newbury is such an important milestone for West Berkshire. Founded in 1940, Berkshire Youth is the only national charity still offering youth support. It provides a lifeline for young people going through challenging times, steering them away from bad choices and towards a brighter future for themselves.  

A major part of this work is ensuring young people have access to employment and education opportunities — widely recognised as the most effective route out of poverty. Nationally, 12.8% of young people aged 16–24 are now not in education, employment, or training (NEET), a figure that has been rising and signals the need for targeted intervention. 

This is exactly what inspired Berkshire Youth to launch its new initiative. Developed in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, the Youth Employment Hub will support young people across Newbury to access training, work experience and job opportunities. The offer includes one‑to‑one coaching, peer support sessions, CV workshops, interview preparation, volunteering placements, and direct links with local employers.  I was fortunate enough to attend the Hub’s opening event last week at its home in the Waterside Centre, and it was encouraging to see so many local businesses there, ready to support the next generation. 

Youth centres and employment hubs are not ‘nice‑to‑haves’ -  they are essential infrastructure designed to keep young people safe, help them thrive and strengthen our communities. The new Youth Employment Hub is a welcome and much‑needed step forward for West Berkshire’s young people, and for the future of our area as a whole.