£420,000 bid to keep employment for young people for next four years

Pendle’s new YES Hub was launched as a pilot scheme in February last year as a one stop shop for 16-24 year olds in the borough for training, work placements, learning and skills development, as well as health and wellbeing activities.

It has been run by Active Lancashire for its first year, and now, more than £420,000 of funding to extend the project is being sought from the Government, after funding for the pilot scheme was provided by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, said: “By working in partnership we have got this vital project for young people in our area off to a brilliant start.

“We never saw this as a short term fix.

“The need for this support has not gone away.

“The steps we take to support our 16 to 24 year olds will be vital to the future of the local economy and the Hub will be an integral part of the local community."

Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board, Stephen Barnes, said: “Getting young people into employment and training is a number one priority not only for the Town Deal Board but also for our local economy. 

"I am therefore delighted that this partnership project is the first to be approved by the board for submission to Pendle Council and the Government.

"The project will help hundreds of young people gain employment or training in collaboration with over 100 employers and Nelson and Colne College, over the next four years.

“This is the first of a wide range of projects which will be considered by the Town Deal Board over the next six months as part of the £25million Government New Towns Fund which has been allocated to Nelson."

Pendle YES Hub Project Lead, Marta Pakula, said: “It’s been a great year for the project and we have supported over 100 young people.

“We are an approachable and friendly team offering tailor-made solutions designed to help individuals improve their confidence and their ability to get employment.

“Our doors are open to those needing support with tackling personal barriers, those starting on their employment journey, through to young graduates leaving university at a time when it’s hard to get started on a career path."

Frances Starkie, DWP East Lancashire Partnerships Manager, said: "We’re delighted that Nelson Town Deal Board has given the green light to enable the continuation of the YES Hub initially funded by DWP.

“It’s a much needed service and we will continue to work closely with the YES Hub team to support young people on their employment journey.”

Any young person in Pendle who’d like to benefit from the support offered by Pendle YES Hub can email PendleYesHub@activelancashire.org.uk and visit Pendle YES Hub | Active Lancashire or find out more via the Pendle Yes Hub on Instagram or Facebook.

Pendle YES Hub is based at 39-41 Scotland Road, Nelson, BB9 7UT and is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 – 15:30.