Tunbridge Wells Youth Hub launch

Tunbridge Wells Youth Hub, an exciting new youth facility developed over the last couple of months following an extensive refurbishment of a former KCC building, was officially launched on Monday 6 June.

This is part of a county-wide transformation of young people’s provision and will provide services to the young people of Tunbridge Wells.

Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill was guest of honour at an event organised by KCC’s Early Help and Preventative Services to celebrate the opening of this new Youth Hub, with invited guests including young people, other KCC Members, district councillors, Kent Police and other key stakeholders.

Based in Grove Hill Road, near the centre of Tunbridge Wells, the Youth Hub has been extensively re-modelled and young people have been involved in the planning and modernisation of the building. It offers excellent facilities, and an extensive range of activities and services aimed at young people, both with the Youth Hub and via co-ordinated outreach work in neighbouring local communities.

The centre will be managed within the district team, and supported by an excellent team of part time youth workers and volunteers.

The youth work programme and activities on offer are designed to:

• Support young people’s personal, emotional and social development
• Provide individual and family support
• Promote healthy wellbeing
• Ensure that all young people in Tunbridge Wells have the opportunity to participate and achieve through an open access service offering dedicated training, educational and support opportunities
• Provide advice and guidance around education and employment
• Reduce teenage pregnancy, substance misuse and youth crime.

Tunbridge Wells Youth Hub will deliver a varied range of daytime, evening and holiday provision. In a safe environment, young people will be able to meet with their friends; they will be able to access a wide range of support and an extensive programme of curriculum activities, sports, art, information and advice, residential opportunities and employment advice, as well as nationally accredited qualifications including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The new centre also provides a base for other Early Help and Preventative Service Workers, alongside partners, all of whom will reach out to young people across the wider borough as part of an extensive and varied range support to children, young people and families.