- Tower Hamlets Council has invested £13.7m into its new youth service, Young Tower Hamlets, including a rebrand and expansion.
- The new service will feature a youth space in every ward.
- The new brand was co-produced with 400 young people.
- It’s launching with a packed summer programme of free activities for young people.
Tower Hamlets Council launched its new youth service, Young Tower Hamlets (YTH), at an event on Monday 17 July at Haileybury Youth Centre, Stepney Green.
The new youth service has received a £13.7m investment from the council for a rebrand and an expansion that will include a youth space in every ward. This investment follows a reduction in funding to youth services both locally and nationally.
It forms part of a wider £19m investment in young people which is a key priority for the Mayor and council, set out in the strategic plan.
Tower Hamlets is the youngest borough in the country and has the highest child poverty rate in London (56%). The investment in Young Tower Hamlets will provide free opportunities for young people to improve their skills and unleash their creativity, alongside safe spaces for those who need it.
In May 2023, 400 young people took part in a series of four interactive ‘Hackathon’ events featuring workshops to design their future youth service – including the new YTH branding. There will be ongoing opportunities for young people to shape the new service.
The launch event, hosted by 17-year-old Zaynah Alom, Chair of Tower Hamlets’ Youth Council, featured:
- Welcome from Tower Hamlets social media influencers Iksy and Char Avell.
- Activities for young people including sports sessions from West Ham United Football Club and London Warriors, arts and crafts, music and drama.
- Unveiling of the new brand that was co-produced with 400 young people.
Young Tower Hamlets is kicking off with a packed, free summer programme as part of the council’s Summer of Fun that includes careers workshops, performance arts, cooking classes, arts and crafts, sports, trips out and more.
Speaking at the launch event, Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
“Young Tower Hamlets demonstrates the commitment we are providing to our future generation.
“As someone who is the product of a youth service, I understand first-hand the value of youth workers as they guided, helped and supported me during my teenage years.
“There is a correlation between education, schools, opportunities and youth services. Young Tower Hamlets will provide excellent opportunities alongside a safe space for every young person in the borough, to improve their life chances.
“We are committed to investing in young people and have funded £19m for schemes including Young Tower Hamlets, providing universal free school meals for primary and secondary school pupils from September, reintroducing the Education Maintenance Allowance, and University Bursaries.”
Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, added:
“I am really proud that through Young Tower Hamlets we are fulfilling our commitment to young people and their futures.
“I would like to thank our young people who have been part of redesigning the youth service. Young Tower Hamlets is about young people: it’s your service.
“We will have a safe space in every ward which means every young person in our borough can benefit from this fantastic service.”
Tahmid Hussen, Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
“Young people have been part of this journey.
“This new youth service will be a legacy that will empower the youth and the upcoming generation.
“They are the ones that will benefit the most and will be building, shaping and structuring this new youth service.”
Posted on Tuesday 18th July 2023