The EPIC Hub in Doncaster's Frenchgate Shopping Centre is planning to expand into a second venue as demand continues to grow.
The youth centre has become an award-winning success since it opened five years ago. Between April last year and March this year, 2,410 young people used the hub, with more than 8,300 total attendances. The centre experienced a 14 per cent increase in engagement over the past year and received a national award earlier this year.
Why expansion is needed
Deputy manager Tom Chambers said the bigger space would allow the hub to meet growing demand and build stronger relationships with young people.
"By having a bigger space, we will not only be able to keep with that demand, we will be able to build better relationships," Chambers said.
Chambers, who is from Bentley and Scawthorpe, highlighted the lack of youth provision in his own childhood. "I was the last year group in school that had a youth club in the area. We have noticed a decline in opportunities for young people. This gives them something."
Members of City of Doncaster Council's young people panel visited the hub and reported positive feedback. Councillor Bob Anderson said: "The new place they are looking at just shows a positive to me. People want to use it."
Wider youth offer in Doncaster
EPIC is part of the council's wider youth offer, which includes further hubs at Tom Hill in Denaby Main and Bentley Youth Hub on Askern Road.
The hub was founded as a partnership involving South Yorkshire Police, Frenchgate Shopping Centre, and the council.
Summer activities and future plans
As well as planning a second premises, the hub is increasing its offering this summer with day trips including paintballing and high rope adventures.
"It's something that some young people may never get the opportunity to do," Chambers said. "I think we all forget that even having a football these days could be a bit of a luxury. We still see young people coming without access to the internet at home."
Plans from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to expand free bus travel for under-18s across the region are expected to bring more young people to Doncaster city centre.
Chambers said the work with young people involved police and security teams as well as hub staff. "If we weren't here, that good work with young people wouldn't be here and the negative images around the city centre could have been a lot more."