As a social enterprise, 100% of our profits generated are gift-aided to our parent charity, Newground Together. This month we look at the impact of youth work taking shape in Elland.
In April 2024, Newground Together began delivering youth services in Elland with a clear focus: to create a space where young people feel safe, supported, and heard.
Initial outreach involved identifying local hotspots where young people were already spending time. With support from the team at Morrisons, who offered space in their café and helped spread the word, the team began building connections across the community.
One of the first key steps was walking the local area with a young person already engaged through the charity’s Engage programme. This helped map out the places young people naturally gather, including the skatepark and a nearby convenience store, where staff welcomed the charity’s presence and highlighted the need for more youth-focused support.
It was a group of 11 young people near B&M who ultimately pointed the team to the James Street Play Area, known locally as “The Doss,” as an ideal spot for weekly detached sessions. From that point on, Tuesday evenings became a regular fixture, and word spread fast. Attendance quickly grew, sparking meaningful conversations on everything from alcohol awareness and personal safety to lighthearted games and football.
As attendance increased, so did the need for greater capacity. The delivery team expanded from two to four members to support the growing numbers. But when the colder months arrived, the challenge became finding a warm, dry space to continue sessions.
By November, with support from Calderdale Council, sessions moved indoors to the newly secured Elland Hub. The new base brought new challenges, including setting boundaries and managing behaviour, but it also marked a turning point. The young people embraced the space as their own, and the hub quickly became more than a venue. It became a trusted environment where young people could open up about complex issues including antisocial behaviour, crime, and sexual abuse.
The work continues to evolve, with sessions structured around core themes such as:
- Emotional wellbeing
- Aspirations and education
- Personal and online safety
- Creativity and expression
- Sexual health
- Substance misuse awareness
- Equality and diversity
Guest facilitators have brought extra value, from local musicians hosting rap workshops to visits from council teams and police officers, ensuring young voices are not only heard but taken seriously.
Since the launch, 44 sessions have taken place, reaching 144 unique young people and recording over 3,869 positive outcomes. The average session now welcomes 27 attendees, and engagement continues to grow.
The Elland Hub is steadily becoming a key part of the local landscape, a place where young people are empowered to shape their futures and contribute positively to their community.
Without your support as a business, our charity wouldn’t be able to deliver this great work. Thank you for your ongoing support.