THE NEW Younity Youth and Family Hub has officially opened its doors on The Walshes in Stourport‑on‑Severn
A celebratory opening event held last Friday was attended by partners, families, youth workers and local residents.
The hub, supported through a Worcestershire County Council Public Health Community Grant, offers a welcoming environment where children, young people and families can play, learn and connect. The community space will support children, young people and families in the area.
Early feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
One parent shared: “This is just brilliant.
“My children are counting down the minutes until they can come.
“There’s nothing else like this around here, and it’s a safe place with staff I trust.”
Younity manager, Hayley Duffen, said: “It’s been wonderful to see everyone come together to celebrate the opening.
“For us, it’s all about community, creating a supportive, friendly space where young people feel they belong.
“They’ve loved using the hub so far and can’t wait to come back. It’s been amazing to see the impact already.”
She urged anyone wanting to support the hub’s work, partner it or donate to help keep it running can email: [email protected] for more information.
“Every contribution, big or small, helps us make a lasting difference.”
The team has ambitious plans to expand their offer, with ideas shaped directly by children, parents and the local school.
Upcoming activities include a community colour run, clean‑up days, CV writing support, a study zone, homework help, digital drop‑ins, come‑and‑play sessions and more.
Younity staff are trained and supported to gain youth work qualifications and the hub also works closely with partners to deliver outreach sessions, arts and crafts and skills‑based workshops.
Tracey, a new member of the team, praised the young people’s enthusiasm.
She said: “One child ran in saying: ‘Oh no, I slept through my alarm – I didn’t want to miss a minute.’
“It shows just how much this place means to them.”
The hub is already attracting between 10 and 25 young people each day and is quickly becoming a valued part of the community.
Coun Satinder Bell, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Spaces like Younity are vital for the health and wellbeing of our communities.
“They give children and young people a safe place to grow, connect and feel supported, and they strengthen the fabric of local neighbourhoods.
“It’s inspiring to see a project built with the community, for the community and we’re proud to support it through our Community Wellbeing Grants.”
Visit: worcestershire.gov.uk/communitygrants for more information on Public Health Community Grants.
And head to: facebook.com/AYOSCIC/about for more on the Younity Youth and Family Hub.
