Nottingham youth support expands for children and teens

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-06-03 17:36 4 min read

Graffiti-covered urban skate park area with modern buildings in the background.

Young people across Nottingham are set to get wider access to trusted youth workers, practical guidance and enrichment activities as a major expansion of city youth provision is rolled out over the coming months.

The plans will place 40 Youth and Development Workers in neighbourhoods across the city, with support offered in community spaces, schools and on the streets. Nottingham City Council says the aim is to reach children and teenagers closer to home, especially where families may face cost, transport or access barriers.

The expansion sits alongside a new Nottingham enrichment programme focused on music, arts, sport and leadership. Its first phase is expected to support more than 1,000 children and young people, with priority given to those from low-income households and groups less likely to take part in enrichment activities.

More youth workers in local neighbourhoods

The expanded youth support offer is designed around direct contact with young people in the places they already use. Youth and Development Workers will operate across local communities rather than from a single central service, giving children and teenagers more chances to speak to a trusted adult when support is needed.

The council says the workers will provide guidance, skills development, confidence-building support and wellbeing help. The service will also connect young people with careers advice, practical support and safe activities in community settings.

For families, the practical change is likely to be seen through more youth workers attached to neighbourhood spaces, school-linked activity and street-based engagement. That model is often used to reach young people who may not attend formal youth clubs or who need early support before problems escalate.

Music, arts, sport and leadership access

The enrichment programme will focus on three main areas: expanding access to music opportunities across Nottingham, developing a new leadership programme for children and young people, and improving awareness of arts, sports and other activities through targeted work with families and schools.

The music element will include support during key transition points in education, when children can lose access to activities because of changes in school, cost or confidence. The leadership strand is expected to give young people structured chances to build communication, responsibility and decision-making skills.

The council says delivery partners, schools and community organisations will be involved in removing financial and practical barriers. That could include better promotion of existing opportunities, clearer referral routes and targeted encouragement for young people who are least likely to join enrichment activities.

Part of a £7.6 million frontline services programme

The youth expansion forms part of Nottingham City Council’s wider £7.6 million frontline services investment. The programme is focused on supporting residents and communities with cost-of-living pressure and improving access to help where need is greatest.

For children and young people, the council links the investment to wellbeing, attendance, attainment and future aspirations. The emphasis is on early support and positive activity: trusted relationships, safe places to go, and opportunities that broaden what young people can imagine for themselves.

The programme sits alongside other local education and support measures, including a specialist school expansion aimed at improving provision for children with additional educational needs.

Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said the investment would expand youth support across communities so more young people can access trusted adults, practical help and positive opportunities close to home.

She said the council was also creating more opportunities for children and young people to take part in music, sport, arts and leadership activities that build confidence, develop skills and raise aspirations.

Rollout shaped around schools and communities

The expanded youth provision and enrichment programme will be introduced across Nottingham over the coming months. Activity will be tailored to local community and school needs, rather than delivered as a single citywide package with the same offer in every area.

The first phase of the enrichment programme is expected to reach more than 1,000 children and young people. The council says the longer-term ambition is for every child to have access to opportunities that help them thrive, regardless of background or where they live in the city.

Councillor Woodings said: “By investing in our young people, we’re also investing in stronger, safer and more connected communities across Nottingham.”

Source: Nottingham City Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This report is based on Nottingham City Council's published announcement about the youth support and enrichment expansion.

Checks

Confirmed the planned use of 40 Youth and Development Workers across Nottingham neighbourh...
Checked that the enrichment programme is expected to support more than 1,000 children and...
Verified that the scheme forms part of a wider £7.6 million frontline services investment.
Matched the quoted remarks to Councillor Linda Woodings as named in the source announcemen...

My Nottingham News Check wider coverage