What is #FundtheHubs?
At Youth Access, alongside the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, Centre for Mental Health, Mind, The Children’s Society, YoungMinds, Black Thrive and BACP we’re a part of the #FundtheHubs campaign. As part of the campaign, we have been calling for a national network of early support hubs in every local area so that all young people can access timely support and advice for issues affecting their mental health.
Early support hubs are often based upon Youth Information Advice and Counselling Services (YIACS principles) and youth Access has long advocated for the role of YIACS as a cornerstone of a mental health system that meets young people's rights. Sometimes called one-stop-shops, drop-in centres or 'hubs', these services, which make up a large portion of the Youth Access membership, provide tailored emotional and practical support for young people along the journey into adulthood. Now, more and more organisations across the mental health system are with us. As each of us has listened to young people, it's clear that's what is missing from mental health provision are local, easy-to-access, youth-friendly services which allow young people to get help with their mental health, and the issues that underpin it, as early as possible.
Early support hubs
Early support hubs based upon the YIACS model are underpinned by core principles that are key to their effectiveness. These hubs are open access meaning that young people can access free support on a self-referral basis with no thresholds. They are young person-centered and responsive to the needs and preferences of young people, working flexibly and creatively to tailor support. Support is safe and confidential and available for mild to moderate mental health problems for all young people up to age 25.
Early support hubs have excellent outcomes for young people internationally and in the UK. Research has also shown that:
- These hubs are just as effective as CAHMS and school-based services and have much higher satisfaction rates
- They are an effective gateway to support for young people who are generally unable to access support including ‘older’ young people, young people from racialised communities, in contact with the youth justice system and LGBTQ+ young people
- These services help bridge the 'cliff edge' between children's and adults' services, serving young adults up to age 25, rather than 18 as in CAMHS and schools
- Young people's mental health often intersects with social welfare issues, meaning quality advice can be a cost-effective intervention to alleviate distress and prevent issues escalating
Looking back
The campaign has reached a range of milestones over the past few years. Take a look at some of these here:
What's next?
The Government has committed to rolling out hubs with drop-in mental health support in local communities in the form of Young Futures Hubs. Going forward we will be working to influence the implementation and delivery of these hubs to make sure that the core principles of YIACS are not lost. We have consulted with sector representatives and existing hub providers to gather insight on how these hubs should be delivered and will be working to influence the the Government using this vital information.
