Youth facilities

Young people in Dudley Borough deserve a place of their own - a place that belongs to them that gives them a stake in the community, a reason to believe in themselves and that they can achieve anything they want with their lives. Young people say a `THIRD PLACE' - somewhere separate from home or school - would give them space to achieve and grow in confidence.

Connecting diverse groups of teenagers through wide-ranging activities that explore potential, foster talent, raise aspirations and channel energies will help combat increasing hopelessness about the future. The Third Place development in Halesowen town centre will offer young people (aged 13 to 19, and young people with learning disabilities up to and including 24 years) a wide range of exciting, high quality activities and information, advice and support services.

The proposed developments (The Hub @ The Third Place) have arisen from a combination of young people’s input, regional surveys / reports into young people’s provision and service provider development plans.

The Hub will spearhead a targeted multi-agency approach to reach 1,000 young people within areas of deprivation across Dudley Borough, doubling annual capacity to 2,000. 

Services developed in close consultation with young people

Throughout The Hub @ The Third Place development process, young people have been closely involved and continue to shape the project through a range of consultative and group exercises.

Current facility users living within walking distance include those from the Highfields estate, which is within the most 10% deprived in England. Several current users have disabilities.

Since 2007 nearly 400 young people have been surveyed about youth facilities within the town and their needs.  As plans have developed, updated surveys have been carried out to gain feedback to further shape the proposals devised by service providers and funders.

More information about The Hub @ The Third Place

In this section view:

• Research and reports – supporting information behind the development
• Partners and stakeholders – who’s involved and their interests in The Third Place; the development is a multi agency / organisation initiative
• Current and proposed facilities in The Third Place development for young people
• New services – in addition to expansion of existing services to a more diverse group of teenagers, there are some key services that The Third Place will help bring into being
• Stakeholder quotes - a selection of comments from a range of organisations and individuals
• Getting involved - ways in which you can become a part of Halesowen's latest development for Young People