Thousands more young people across England will be able to access vital mental health support thanks to a new £7 million government investment to expand the country’s network of Early Support Hubs.
The community‑based hubs, which provide drop‑in mental health support for 11‑ to 25‑year‑olds, are designed to help prevent more severe mental illness by offering early, accessible help without the need for a GP referral or formal appointment.
The funding will enable the 24 existing Early Support Hubs to significantly expand their capacity, delivering an estimated 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions over the next year. These may include:
- One‑to‑one counselling
- Group work
- Therapeutic support
- Specialist advice and guidance
The hubs offer a welcoming, open‑access environment for young people seeking support with issues such as anxiety, stress, relationships, low mood, and emerging mental health difficulties.
Demand for mental health support remains high. In 2023, around 1 in 5 young people aged 8 to 25 were estimated to have a mental disorder – a figure that highlights the importance of accessible services outside clinical settings.
Research shows that Early Support Hubs are particularly effective at reaching older teenagers, young adults, and ethnic minority groups.
These groups are often less likely to engage with traditional NHS mental health pathways or school‑based support, making the hubs a crucial element of early intervention.
Insights from the Early Support Hubs programme will help shape the government’s upcoming Young Futures Hubs, which aim to provide consistent, open‑access mental health care for young people across England.
This evidence‑based approach will help ensure future services meet the needs of diverse communities and offer timely, preventative support.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“No young person should suffer in silence with their mental health. We’re investing in the wellbeing of the next generation, making sure every young person has the best start in life and the support they need to grow, to flourish, and to thrive.
“Early Support Hubs are already making a real difference and this funding boost will expand services to support more young people in communities across the country.
“Alongside this, we’re investing an extra £688 million in mental health services this year and are well on our way to recruiting 8,500 additional mental health workers across children’s and adult services.”
The £7 million boost complements broader government investment to strengthen youth mental health care, including:
- An extra £688 million for mental health services this year
- Recruitment of 7,000 additional mental health workers
- Accelerated rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges
- Landmark Mental Health Act reforms strengthening young people’s rights
These initiatives form part of the government’s ambition to create an NHS “fit for the future” and build the healthiest ever generation of children, ensuring mental health support is available earlier and closer to home.
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