£8 Million Youth Transformation pilot in Stoke-on-Trent shows city’s young people “are being seen, heard, and backed

Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that Stoke-on-Trent has been selected as one of the areas to benefit from a new £8 million Local Youth Transformation Pilot.

The pilot will support councils to improve and invest in high-quality out-of-school youth services, providing young people with the opportunities, confidence and life skills they need to thrive.

The programme, unveiled today by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, forms part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change, with a focus on reconnecting young people with their communities and protecting them from the isolating effects of excessive time spent online.

Gareth Snell MP said: “I’m delighted that Stoke-on-Trent has been chosen as one of the first areas to pilot this new investment in young people.

“For too long, our youth services have suffered from neglect and underfunding. This announcement is a much-needed signal that our city’s young people are finally being seen, heard, and backed.”

“This is about more than just funding, it’s about giving our young people the kind of safe, inspiring, and inclusive spaces they’ve told us they need. We will work with them to shape services that reflect their hopes and tackle their very real concerns.”

The announcement follows findings from Stoke-on-Trent’s largest ever youth consultation, What Matters to Us, published last month by YMCA North Staffordshire.

More than 2,800 young people aged 10–24 took part, sharing their views on life in the city, their dreams for the future, and the barriers they face.

The report highlights young people’s desire for:

The consultation identified serious concerns around mental health support, job prospects, safety, public transport, and a lack of youth-friendly services and spaces. All these concerns are echoed in today’s national statement from the Prime Minister.

“We know from local evidence that young people in Stoke-on-Trent are ambitious, thoughtful, and community-minded,” Gareth Snell continued. “But too many feel excluded, unsafe or simply bored because there are too few places that welcome and support them.”

“This pilot is a chance to change that. I’ll work to ensure this funding goes where it’s most needed and has the biggest possible impact.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “We know that strong local youth services are the bedrock of thriving communities… today’s announcement is just the beginning.”

Gareth Snell MP has continuously championed the voices of local young people, ensuring the Government’s promise of “transformative, real-world opportunities” becomes a reality in Stoke-on-Trent