HYACT - The CUBE

HYACT was set up in 2005 so has been running for almost 20 years. We have a long-standing relationship with the community and are aware of the challenges local young people are facing. There is limited access to free youth services within the area and while there are uniformed groups and sports activities these do not suit everyone. The only other free spaces where young people can meet are local parks and shopping areas where they are not always welcome. Despite Market Harborough being an affluent town there are pockets of deprivation and social isolation, especially in families. Our counselling service capacity was increased during 2021 as we anticipated the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of YP. We continue to see these effects through YP struggling with social anxiety, their mental health and integrating back into their school communities. With a bank of qualified counsellors and underwriting costs for those that need it, HYACT is well placed to make a difference to young people’s wellbeing. We have established working relationships with local schools and are known across the town for our youthwork and counselling service. Our relationship with schools enables our youth workers to meet young people in school lunch times and after school groups and respond to emerging issues. We work with young people, their schools and parents to make referrals for further support from other agencies, counselling or mentoring. These school partnerships are a key working relationship as meeting young people where they are at, both physically and emotionally, enables us to offer help at critical times and create lasting support networks.  HYACT is well placed with its own building and outside space from which we provide open access youthwork, mostly attended by young people we have met through schools. Our relational approach enables youth workers to deliver weekly groups that are not only fun but also meet the needs of young people. This includes belonging and acceptance, growing self-esteem through encouragement and activities, learning new skills such as cooking, grouting and tolerance of differences. We provide long term relational youth work delivered by qualified and experienced youth workers. We are privileged to see young people supported through adolescence and stepping into adulthood well. We often meet parents who value the work of The CUBE because they themselves benefited when they were young. Our staff team is diverse and we work well together, drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience that diversity brings to find creative ways for young people to both express and meet their needs. Our volunteers support our youth groups and book-keeping and manage our finances. Our counsellors are all BACP registered and qualified and experienced in work with young people. Our Board of Trustees include many years of experience, working in the third sector, social services, education and across the youth work profession.