Isle Of Wight Selected For Government Youth Support Programme

The Isle of Wight has been selected to take part in a government programme aimed at improving support for young people.

The council secured a place on the Young Futures Hubs and Transformation Programme following a competitive application process.

Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the scheme aims to improve access to mental health and wellbeing support, employment and skills opportunities and services designed to reduce young people's vulnerability to crime.

It could eventually see a Young Futures Hub established on the Island, bringing services including youth activities, careers advice and wellbeing support together in one location.

No decision has yet been made on where a hub could be based or how it would operate.

The council will now establish a steering group and work with young people, community organisations and other partners to identify local priorities and develop proposals.

The national programme aims to establish a network of Young Futures Hubs across England by 2029.