Lambeth Youth Hub

Freehaus were appointed by the London Borough of Lambeth to assess the viability of utilising an Integrated Youth Hub (IYH) to support Youth Service provision’s across the borough and to support the definition of a brief for future capital works. It is intended that an Integrated Youth Hub will create a single point of access into a range of holistic and integrated services for young people in Lambeth, from supporting early intervention to those in crisis.

The IYH was suggested due to the current provisions not being effective or welcoming for delivery of youth support. The IYH was explored through a Hub and Spoke model; this model resembles a bicycle wheel - the many spokes (or satellite spaces like existing youth clubs and leisure centres) are connected and have access to a central hub (the IYH). This has the intent of improving accessibility for young people. Ultimately, supporting in the determination of a brief for the (potential) future capital project.

Co-designing sessions with service providers helped understand specific needs and concerns, identifying opportunities for collocation and tensions between departments. The final viability study report identified common ground between departments and ambitions for how Lambeth Council can better serve its young community.