By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A £925,000 boost for youth services is set to improve the health and well-being of young people around the city.
Leeds is one of eight council areas chosen by the government to set up a Youth Futures Hub.
Children aged 10-18 will be supported by the project, which will offer mental health support, careers advice and volunteering opportunities.
A council report said a main hub in West Leeds would be run by community organisation BARCA.
Smaller hubs would be set up in east and south Leeds as part of the city-wide project.
The report said: “These hubs provide coordinated, youth-led support for 10–18-year-olds, improving access to opportunities, well being support and safety.”
Leeds was among the first councils to test out the scheme ahead of it being expanded to 50 hubs nation-wide over the next four years.
Speaking at an executive board meeting, Labour’s Helen Hayden praised the work of council officers in setting up the scheme.
Coun Hayden, executive member for children and families, said: “Their determination to make this happen for young people in Leeds is incredible.
“This programme represents a really opportunity for us.”
The report said the scheme was being led nationally by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and supported by the National Youth Agency.
The eight councils to set up the first hubs were classed as having high levels of anti-social behaviour and knife crime.
The report said health professionals would be involved in running the new service.
It said: “Detached and outreach work will reach individuals facing barriers such as safety, poverty or transport issues
“Well being-focused environments will promote mental health, resilience and healthy relationships.”
Councillors voted to accept separate amounts of DCMS funding of £500,000 and £425,000.
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