A state-of-the-art Youth Hub has officially opened in the Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, providing support services and activities for young people.
The Blackbird Leys Youth Hub, which officially opened yesterday (17 September), will provide critical support services and activities aimed at driving positive outcomes for young people in Oxford, including improved mental and physical wellbeing, and skills for life and work.
Located in The Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, the Leys Youth Hub aims to give young people new opportunities to enhance their wellbeing, have fun and grow their self-confidence through free welcoming sessions for young people aged 11 to 18 (and up to 25 for young people with a disability).
Work on the new space started in September 2024, and is a collaboration between Oxford City Council’s Youth Ambition services and Oxfordshire County Council’s Targeted Youth Support Service (TYSS). Funding for the refurbishment has come from the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund and the National Lottery.
The Youth Hub will provide a safe space to socialise, take part in activities, and enjoy a meal at no cost and is led by a team of friendly youth workers. The Youth Hub supports the centre’s continued transformation from leisure to active wellbeing services.
The new space, which was designed in collaboration with local young people, includes a social area, quiet rooms, a kitchen, music and digital space, and a climbing wall. Activities include creative writing, baking, art, music, nails and beauty, film nights, games, rock climbing, cooking, and more.
The Council’s Youth Ambition team worked closely with young people on the design of the hub - including the furniture - to ensure it meets the needs of the local community. The team organised taster sessions throughout the summer to gather additional feedback and input from young people on the new space ahead of opening.
The Youth Hub will be open for young people after school and during the summer holidays, with sessions by organised by the Council and other partners including Body Mind Soul, Wempower, Dancin' Oxford, and Oxford Community Action (OCA).
More information on the Youth Hub, including activities can be found on the Council’s website.
Supporting local communities
The refurbished Youth Hub is part of Oxford City Council’s work to ensure Thriving Communities. The Thriving Communities approach aims to help strengthen communities and focus our resources where they are most needed, in the face of huge funding cuts to local government since 2010.
This includes working collaboratively in Oxford’s neighbourhoods and creating inclusive spaces and places, as well as working closely with communities and partners.
Comment
“I am delighted that we are opening our brand new and much awaited Youth Hub in Blackbird Leys. The Youth Hub will be a welcoming space to help young people in the Leys to build their skills and confidence through a wide range of activities. The hub has been designed with young people, and we already have heard fantastic feedback from those who have taken part in our summer taster sessions. We are proud to be supporting local communities to succeed.”
Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford and Small Business Champion, Oxford City Council
“This is an exciting and much anticipated moment for young people living in the Leys, a local hub where they can make friends, socialise, build their skills and confidence.
“Supported by a brilliant team of youth workers, this partnership between our county council and Oxford City Council will play an important role in helping the young participants develop and reach for future aspirations and goals. I congratulate and wish everyone involved in the project the very best.”
Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Oxfordshire County Council
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