In the last year, more than 3,000 young people have attended Somerset Youth Hubs, which offer welcoming places to talk about personal and community safety.
Youth Hubs are free weekly drop-in sessions in Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton for young people and parents and carers. Delivered by Young Somerset in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police and funded by Somerset Council.
The Hubs were created in response to young people asking for more support and advice about staying safe. They provide a place to discuss issues such as:
- anti-social behaviour,
- knife crime,
- violence,
- exploitation,
- substance misuse and
- violence against women and girls.
Feedback from young people highlighted the importance of trusted adults, safe spaces, mental health support and positive activities. This insight is shaping local action, with Avon and Somerset Police joining sessions to promote anonymous crime reporting through Fearless, while Hub staff provide mentoring, workshops, activities and practical advice to help young people stay safe.
Cllr Heather Shearer, Somerset Council Lead Member for Children, Families and Education and Chair of the Safer Somerset Partnership Board, said:
The Somerset Youth Hubs are making a real difference by giving young people a welcoming place where they can be heard, supported and connected with the help they need.
By listening to their experiences and concerns, we’re able to work together with partners to make our communities safer and help young people thrive.
I would encourage young people, parents and carers to visit their local hub, have a conversation with the team and find out more about the support available.
Siobhan Gallagher, Head of Targeted Youth Services at Young Somerset, said:
Young people tell us how important it is to have safe spaces where they feel welcome, listened to and able to talk to a trusted adult. The Youth Hubs give them exactly that – somewhere they can connect, ask for support and make positive choices.
The partnership between the Violence Reduction Partnership and voluntary organisations like Young Somerset is incredibly valuable. By combining our different expertise and, crucially, listening to young people, we can respond earlier, build trust and work together to help young people and our communities feel safer.
Chief Inspector Rebecca Wells-Cole, said:
Providing safe spaces for young people is a crucial for crime prevention, especially at weekends and during school holidays. These hubs give children and young people a place to meet friends, take part in activities, and speak openly with trusted adults about challenges they may be facing.
Boredom, isolation and a lack of opportunities can make young people more vulnerable to becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, which can sometimes escalate into more serious offences such as carrying knives or violence. Some children may also be at risk of exploitation.
While this affects only a small minority of children, these are the kinds of issues we continue to tackle in Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil. This behaviour not only puts young people themselves at risk but can also have a negative impact on local people and businesses.
The hubs may seem like a small intervention, but they make a huge difference. In safe, supportive environments, children feel valued and are encouraged to develop their talents and interests, leading to positive future choices.
Youth Hubs are open to all young people, as well as parents and carers. Sessions are free to attend and there is no need to book.
Current locations are:
- Bridgwater: Fridays, 3pm to 5pm, Bold & Brave, Angel Place, TA6 3TQ
- Yeovil: Fridays, 4pm to 6pm, Hollywood Bowl, BA20 1NP
- Taunton: Saturdays, 3pm to 5pm, McDonald’s, East Street, TA1 3LX
A Hub in Chard will restart during the autumn half-term holidays, running on Wednesdays from 3pm to 5pm at Boden Street Community Centre (TA20 2AX). A series of pop-up Hubs will also launch in schools across Taunton and Bridgwater over the coming months.
Visit Youth Hubs to find out more.
The programme is funded by Somerset Council through the Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership and supported by the Safer Somerset Partnership, helping to create safer communities and positive opportunities for young people across Somerset.
