Tower Hamlets is set to expand its support for young people with the launch of universal 'safe spaces' across the borough's 20 wards. The initiative is a key component of the Young Tower Hamlets (YTH) Strategy 2025-2027, which aims to provide a diverse and inclusive range of youth work opportunities. Tower Hamlets has the highest youth population in London, with over 50% of households being low-income families, according to the Young Tower Hamlets Needs Assessment.
The Young Tower Hamlets Strategy aims to address safety concerns, particularly for young women and girls, the SEND community, and the LGBTQ+ community. The strategy emphasizes education and training for staff and youth to foster inclusivity and create welcoming environments.
The announcement was made at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, where council members discussed and approved the strategy. The plan includes:
- Creating universal 'safe spaces' in every ward.
- Providing targeted youth support for vulnerable young people.
- Establishing a rapid response team to address harm outside the home.
- Offering a range of sports and adventure learning activities.
- Empowering young people through a youth participation team.
- Commissioning a mixed economy of youth provision.
The meeting information mentions that the Rapid Response Team will be staffed with specialist skilled detached youth workers. The team will operate based on locality risk assessments and work closely with police, Community Safety, THEOs, local businesses and voluntary groups. The team will provide access to a youth engagement service and bridge to essential services such as universal youth centres, education training and employment, alcohol and drug support as well as emotional wellbeing and mental health services.
During the meeting, young people, including Deputy Young Mayor Ifat and youth councillors Crystal and Daniel, presented the strategy and its goals. Ifat emphasised the importance of the youth service, stating it will provide inspiring opportunities, exciting activities, and tailored support, regardless of background.
Crystal highlighted the hackathons, which were essential in finding out what young people wanted and needed within the spaces that are for them and essentially made by them as well.
Daniel spoke about the target groups, including young women and girls, LGBTQI individuals and Somali boys, and the need for safe spaces, mental health support, and role models.
Nikki, a youth councillor, shared her positive experiences with Tower Hamlets Youth Services, emphasising the vital role they played in her life.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman expressed his commitment to investing in young people, stating:
When it comes to young people, there's going to be no compromises.
Councillor Shafi Ahmed echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of the youth service and the council's dedication to the future of the borough's youth.
Steve Reddy, Corporate Director, acknowledged the diverse and talented workforce and the support from the National Youth Association and Centre for Young Lives.
Councillor Kabir Ahmed emphasised that the strategy is a living document co-produced with young people, while Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury highlighted the importance of people feeling safe and accessible when reporting hate crimes.
The Cabinet approved the Young Tower Hamlets Strategy 2025-2027 and agreed to continue rolling it out in line with the strategic plan.
The Young Tower Hamlets Strategy 2025-2027 will have an outcomes framework (see Appendix 2 of the document) that includes measures for each indicator as well as providing the framework for monitoring, evaluation and impact of our intended outcomes. An annual progress report will be developed that highlights achievements, challenges and lessons learned. This report will be publicly available to ensure transparency and show how the Strategy is benefitting the VCS and residents. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2028 document also mentions that progress will be evaluated every 12 months using key indicators.
