Oldham is one of 42 councils in England that will set up a Young Futures Hub, as the government expands a programme that brings mental health support, employment help and crime prevention work for young people together in one place.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said every local authority on the list will establish a hub, with funding to run it and support from the Local Youth Transformation programme, which is intended to strengthen leadership, train the workforce and build local partnerships.

Other authorities named include Bolton, Rochdale and Salford. The 42 new hubs build on 8 early adopter hubs already running elsewhere in England.

Each hub is intended to give young people aged 10 to 18, and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a single place to go. Alongside open access to sport, creative activities and trusted youth workers, the hubs combine mental health support, skills and training, routes into employment and crime prevention, so young people do not have to tell their story to a different service on every visit.

A total of £70 million is being distributed by the UK Government to local authorities to establish Young Futures Hubs and deliver Local Youth Transformation projects between 2026/27 and 2028/29. Up to £300k will be made available per annum for each hub to operate, and up to £125k of capital funding for light touch refurbishments and/or digital projects. Up to £500k will be made available for each local authority delivering Local Youth Transformation projects.

The programme is part of the government's National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, which was launched by Lisa Nandy in December 2025 and co-produced with 14,000 young people through a 'State of the Nation' survey. The strategy set out over £500 million of government investment in youth services.

Nandy, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: "Last year we spoke to thousands of young people who told us that they needed somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to. That's what these new Young Futures Hubs will give them."

New Minister for Young People Vicky Foxcroft visited the Manchester Young Futures Hub, which has been operating since April 2026, to mark the announcement. She said: "We need to do something different to ensure that young people are supported to thrive. By co-creating every Young Futures Hub and Transformation plan with young people, we are ensuring they are the architects of their own future."

The government also pointed to wider spending linked to the programme, including £132 million for the 'Every Child Can' programme, £22.5 million for the Enrichment Expansion Programme, and Youth Hubs in over 360 locations for young people aged 16 to 24. Further measures are expected in the government's response to a review of young people and work led by Alan Milburn.