Early Intervention Service Hubs

As you may already know, some of Oxfordshire's Young People's centres are transforming into Early Intervention Hubs this autumn.

The Hubs will provide a single integrated inclusive early intervention service to children, young people and families who might be facing difficulties or problems.

There will be services available at the seven hubs and in a variety of outreach centres, including many current youth locations.

What will happen at the hubs?

Lots of different drop-ins, events, support and projects will be available at the hubs and at other locations. Because the hubs are still being set up, we can't say for sure what will be happening where yet, but each hub will be different, according to the needs of the area. Activities and support on offer may include:

• Information work around important issues for young people like housing, sexual health, contraception and alcohol and drugs
• Diversion and other fun activities, some in the evening and at weekends, for different groups
• Support for parents, including young parents
• Advice and information around careers, starting work and further education
• Activities for specific groups of people, like young people with disabilities, or who are at risk of offending

Lots of workers will use hubs, including county council workers and workers from partner agencies. Workers will also continue to work with children, young people and their families within their own home, school or community setting as appropriate.

The hubs will also act as venues for youth sessions to be held in the evenings and on weekends.

Clubs into Hubs

At the moment most of Oxfordshire's Young People's Centres are enjoying their summer programmes. After this, the centres will close briefly before reopening as Hubs, Outreach locations or community or school-based young people's centres.

These are the locations of the hubs:

• The Hub at Banbury
• The Courtyard at Bicester
• The Net at Abingdon
• The Vibe at Didcot
• The Union Street Centre at East Oxford
• The Hub at the Academy in Littlemore
• The Hub at Witney

Events and programme will start in the new year with many hubs offering services from 1st September.

These are the locations of the main outreach locations (you many also hear them called spokes or satellites):

• Blackbird Leys Young People's Centre
• Rose Hill Young People's Centre
• Berinsfield Young People's Centre
• The Forum at Kidlington
• The Riverside Centre
• Barton Community Centre

There will also be services for young people delivered at the old Oxford Connexions Centre on Gloucester Green.

Looking for your new hub contact details? From September 1st 2011 you will be able to contact your local hub on the following numbers:

• Abingdon Hub Tel: 0845 6029279 / 01865 328400
• Banbury Hub.  Tel: 0845 6029288 / 01865 328440
• Bicester Hub. Tel: 0845 6029298 / 01865 328470
• Didcot Hub: Tel: 0845 6029299 / 01865 328480
• Witney Hub: Tel: 0845 6029284 / 01865 328730
• Union Street Hub Tel: 0845 6029315 / 01865 328490
• Oxford Acadamy Tel:  08456416424 / 01865 816202
  

Clubs into the community

Not seen your local centre on the list? Don't worry. Almost all of Oxfordshire young people's centres centres will be continuing under different management. Here's the list so far:

• Grimsbury Young People's Centre has reopened under the management of BYHP.
• The Allandale Centre at Carterton will re-open as an innovative partnership between Carterton Town Council, local services and RAF Brize Norton
• Chipping Norton Young People's Centre (Glyme Hall) will pass to the Adult Education service but will continue to offer Youth Provision in the evening
• FAZE Young People's Centre in Faringdon will stay open and pass to a local management committee
• Wolvercote Young People's Club (WYPC) will stay open and pass to a local management committee
• Wheatley Young People's Centre will be managed by the local Children's Centre and will continue to offer a Youth Club
• The Sweatbox Centre in Wantage will now be run by King Alfred's School, events and support will continue, including provision for young disabled people
• Eynsham Young People's Centre will now be run by Eynsham School as a combined 6th Form Centre and Youth Club

There will also be some new young people's centres opening around the county from organisations which have put forward Big Society bids. Look out for new young people's clubs in Uffington and Littlemore, with more to come.

More to come

Over the next few months, look out for more news about centres and services for young people in Oxfordshire.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more about Early Intervention Hubs on the Oxfordshire County Council website, where you can read more about Early Intervention and sign up to a newsletter.

We'll also link to new services, projects and more from this page, as they become available.

I'll also be posting updates as I receive them on individual clubs and centre's pages.

If you want to send in more information about local Young People's projects in the area, please do. Contact details below:

• jeremy.day@oxfordshire.gov.uk

You can also send press releases or other material to:

Spired.com
Oxfordshire County Council Integrated Youth Support Service
Supporting Choices Team
County Hall (3rd Floor)
New Road
Oxford OX1 1ND

Whether sending in material or emailing, please remember to include details of your project and contact details so that we can ask you for more information if we need to!