New Support Centres to Open in Cornwall for Young People Not in Education or Work

New support centres are set to open in St Austell, Liskeard and Pool, offering help to young people who are currently not in education, employment or training.

The new centres will support 16 to 24 year olds who are classed as NEET and who receive Universal Credit. The aim is to help them overcome barriers and move towards education, training or work.

All three centres are expected to be up and running by the end of February 2026.

What the centres will offer

The centres are designed to bring a range of services together in one place. Support will include skills development and training, mental health support, housing advice and help with employer engagement.

Young people taking part will also be supported to access work experience placements and volunteering opportunities. This is intended to help them build confidence, gain experience and develop employability skills.

Council backing and pilot scheme

The scheme is being run as a pilot and will be closely monitored to assess its impact and help shape future support for young people across Cornwall.

Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families at Cornwall Council, said:

“This project provides further evidence of the council’s commitment to supporting 16–24-year-olds who are NEET. As a pilot, it will help demonstrate the value of offering young people engagement support alongside targeted services such as mental health and housing support. By integrating these services, we are more likely to help young people move into sustained opportunities in education, training and employment.”

Youth Engagement Project funding extended

Alongside the new centres, Cornwall Council has confirmed that its Youth Engagement Project (YEP) will continue to be funded until the end of August 2026. This is beyond the end of UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding in March 2026.

YEP supports young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, offering one to one support with employability and life skills. This includes access to courses, work experience and volunteering opportunities.

The project also provides tailored support for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Since launching in 2023, YEP and community partners including Pentreath, Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, Carefree, Pluss and Real Ideas have supported more than 1,750 young people.

Michael Anderton, Youth Engagement Lead for Cornwall Council, said:

“The decision to continue the project reflects our commitment to providing essential support to young people who need it most. By helping them build confidence, independence and skills, we are giving them the best possible chance to move forward into education, training or employment.”

Further information

More information about the Youth Engagement Project is available by contacting the YEP team on 01872 324602 or by emailing <a href=”mailto:yep@cornwall.gov.uk”>yep@cornwall.gov.uk</a>.