£100,000 Award For Plans To Create Young Futures Hub On Isle Of Wight

The Isle of Wight has been selected to receive £100,000 towards plans for a new Young Futures Hub for young people.

The funding will be used by the Isle of Wight Council to develop proposals for a hub bringing together preventative support, opportunities and services for young people across the Island.

The programme is intended to focus on three main areas:

• Supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing

• Helping young people fulfil their potential through opportunities and support

• Reducing vulnerability to being drawn into crime

The Island is one of 26 local authorities selected for funding from 50 eligible councils which were shortlisted and invited to submit an Expression of Interest.

It is also only the second successful Young Futures Hub project in the South East.

What happens next?

The Isle of Wight Council will now work with young people and local organisations to develop more detailed plans for the proposed hub.

That co-creation process will take place before proposals are submitted between January and March 2027 for potential further funding to establish and develop the service.

The council says the process will help ensure the hub reflects the needs and priorities of young people living on the Island.

Isle of Wight MP Richard Quigley has welcomed the funding, following campaigning by him in Parliament and locally for increased support for young people and improved access to community-based mental health services.

He said the Island's selection demonstrated that the Government was responding to concerns raised locally about the challenges faced by young people.

Mr Quigley said:

"This is great news and follows the work Children's Services have been doing on the Island, as well as the constant nagging I do in Parliament to get more for the Isle of Wight."

He has also pledged to support the development of the proposed hub over the coming months.