Investing in Children CIO

16/10/2026

Last night we celebrated the launch of the LGBTQIA+ Survival Guide, created by young people from across the North of England!

It was great to see so many different people there. We had some fantastic discussion about how services can be more inclusive, how schools can better support LGBTQIA+ young people, and what young people want adults and non-community members to know.

Thanks to all who attended, and a huge thank you to all the young people that contributed to the guide and the podcast.

Find out more at investinginchildren.net/lgbtq

OUT North East Celebrate Difference ADHD Waythrough FreedomZone Durham County Council Hexham Youthy Hart Gables LGBT Derwentside Detached Youth Project Elemore Hall School, HDFT, EWEL

16/10/2026

"I was particularly struck by the strength of the young person-led approach"

We are incredibly proud of all the young people we work with, and make sure they are at the centre of everything we do.
We don't plan things for young people, we give them the space to voice what they want to see.

15/10/2026

TONIGHT we are launching the LGBTQIA+ Survival Guide - created with the voices and experiences of young people from across the North East!

Sign up now!
https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/LGBTQIASurvivalGuideLaunch

14/10/2026

Rob and Beth have been working with the youth steering group at Next Chapter in Newton Aycliffe.

We are incredibly proud of all of the young people who played a part in helping to develop the hub and for all who participated in the launch event.

They have done amazing job reading speeches about what was important to them, and for Evie talking to ITV News on behalf of the group.

Watch the clip:
https://www.itv.com/watch/news/youth-futures-hub-opens-in-county-durham-to-help-young-people-who-are-not-earning-or-learning/dgd0fsn

Great to also see our young people (and Beth!) in The Northern Echo! The Northern Echo County Durham
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26630805.new-youth-hub-opens-newton-aycliffe-young-people/

Watch the latest from ITV News - The North East has the highest rate of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training - with enough in the region to fill St James' Park.

14/10/2026

RECAP:
We are so proud of our young people involved in the creation and launch of the Young Futures Hub in Newton Aycliffe, named by the young people as Next Chapter.

Well done to all who were at the launch event on Monday, and to all who spoke.

This pilot has paved the way for more Young Futures Hubs to be opened up in County Durham and across the country.

14/10/2026

It was great to welcome Durham Community Action Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum to The Elms yesterday!

If you are interested in having a look at our spaces, email us at [email protected]

A fantastic morning at our County Durham Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum!

This morning's forum focused on involving young people in volunteering, exploring the opportunities they can bring to our organisations, the barriers they may face and how we can make volunteering more accessible, flexible and meaningful for younger volunteers.

A big thank you to Investing in Children - Young People's Page for hosting us and sharing their insights, helping to spark some really valuable conversations.

13/10/2026

IKYMI:
Watch the video recap from the Type 1 Kidz residential now!
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com//video/7690924191608065302?lang=en-GB
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/shorts/cKeN9VQFHPs

12/10/2026

We are so proud of our young people involved in the creation and launch of the Young Futures Hub in Newton Aycliffe.

Well done to all who were at the launch event today, and to all who spoke.

This pilot has paved the way for more Young Futures Hubs to be opened up in County Durham and across the country.

12/10/2026

Drop in to our CREATIVE RIGHTS CAFE tonight at 4:30

Open to ALL AGES!

11/10/2026

Check out our LBTQIA+ Survival Guide for young people:
https://shorturl.at/Jhspu

For young people in County Durham, why not come along to our LGBTQIA+ Group?
https://ow.ly/qCje50ZvHMf