Explore Partnership delivering positive change for young people with The HUB
“There aren’t many places for young people around here, so seeing The HUB come to life is really exciting. It looks like somewhere we’ll be able to meet friends, try new things and feel part of something positive.”
Explore Partnership CIC is a community-led organisation working with children, young people and families across Knowsley. They are committed to tackling poverty, challenging inequality, and creating positive change by removing barriers that prevent people from accessing safe spaces, support and opportunity. In collaboration with Riverside Housing, Explore Partnership secured the lease on an old post office shop unit to create The HUB – a vibrant local centre for support, connection, and community. Recent Better Youth Spaces funding has been critical in enabling them to move this project from concept to delivery.
Gary See, Director of Explore Partnership, explains: “The transformation of The HUB represents more than just a building—it is a place where people can access vital services, connect with one another, and engage in community-driven activities. From providing practical support to offering opportunities for personal development, The HUB serves as a focal point for individuals to feel empowered, supported, and part of something bigger.”
The project will support young people to build confidence, improve wellbeing, take part in positive activities, and form meaningful connections with peers and trusted adults. Over time, this contributes to tackling inequality, reducing isolation, and creating opportunities for young people who might otherwise be excluded from such spaces.
“The Better Youth Spaces funding has allowed us to invest in essential improvements and equipment that directly enhance the quality, safety and accessibility of the space, ensuring it is fit for purpose and welcoming for young people; importantly, enabling us to think beyond a single, static venue. By supporting mobile provision and flexible equipment, the funding helps us reach young people in different neighbourhoods, reducing barriers linked to poverty, transport and access to safe spaces.”
Young people explore their new HUB
Explore Partnership held a launch event in April to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment and formally open the space to the community. The event brought together young people, families, local partners and stakeholders to showcase the improvements made and the activities on offer.
“The launch was an opportunity for young people to see how their ideas and input have shaped the space, take part in taster activities, and help set the tone for how the space will be used going forward. It will also support wider engagement with local partners and help raise awareness of the opportunities available for young people.”
Community-focussed offer
In addition to providing a safe, welcoming hub for youth activity, Explore Partnership are planning to use the refurbished space and new equipment in a range of flexible, community-focused ways that reflect their commitment to creating a responsive, inclusive, and locally embedded youth offer that supports young people’s wellbeing and social connection.
- Mobile delivery – The vehicle will be used to take activities, resources and support directly into neighbourhoods, reaching young people who may face barriers getting to a central venue.
- Inflatable football equipment – This will be used both at the hub on the nearby Frensham Park, and out in the community as part of active, engaging outreach sessions. It supports physical activity, teamwork and informal connection with peers.
- Flexible programme delivery – The space itself will host youth-led drop-ins, wellbeing sessions, creative workshops, and skill-building activities designed with and for young people.
- Partnership-led activities – Working with local schools, community partners, and voluntary groups to schedule sessions that respond to emerging needs and opportunities (e.g., holiday programmes, collaborative sports sessions, mental health workshops).
Gary See continued: “Without the Better Youth Spaces grant, the project would have been significantly delayed and scaled back. While we are a resilient organisation, limited resources would have meant difficult compromises around quality, reach and sustainability. The grant has allowed us to deliver the project in the way it was intended, inclusive, youth-focused and built to last.
“For our organisation, the impact is the ability to provide a consistent, high-quality youth offer that responds to real need and can grow over time. For young people, it means access to a safe, positive space where they feel welcome, valued and listened to.”
Partnerships and co-production
“We work in close partnership with schools, health services, local authorities and community organisations, and place a strong emphasis on co-production — ensuring young people have a genuine voice in shaping the spaces and activities designed for them.”
Young people were involved throughout the development of the project, helping to shape both the space and how it will be used. Through informal conversations, group discussions and activity sessions, young people shared their views on what makes a space feel safe, welcoming and inclusive.
“Their feedback influenced decisions around how the space is set up, the type of equipment purchased, and the balance between structured activities and informal drop-in time. Young people also expressed a strong preference for activities that could take place in their own neighbourhoods, which directly informed the decision to invest in mobile delivery and portable equipment.”
And co-production will continue beyond the refurbishment, with young people involved in testing activities, helping shape future sessions, and contributing ideas as the space develops over time. This approach ensures the project remains responsive to their needs and reflects what young people actually want and value.
“The HUB was developed in response to what young people told us they needed — a safe, accessible space where they can connect, take part and feel valued. With support from Better Youth Spaces, we’ve been able to remove barriers linked to poverty and inequality, and invest in a flexible, sustainable space and equipment that will grow with young people, adapt to changing needs, and continue creating positive opportunities into the future.”