National Research Strengthens the Case for Early Support Hubs

Three new peer-reviewed papers from the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Mental Health have been published, sharing findings from a national evaluation of Early Support Hubs across England. Drawing on interviews with young people, frontline practitioners and service managers, the research explores what makes these services valuable, where they fit within the wider mental health system, and the challenges they face. 

Perhaps the clearest message from the research is that young people value support that feels approachable, welcoming and available before problems reach crisis point. While specialist services remain vital, many young people described the importance of simply having somewhere local to go, people they trust, and support that sees them as a whole person rather than a diagnosis. 

As one young person put it: “Not everyone wants to get a psychologist. It’s not about that. Sometimes it’s just about popping in and knowing that there’s someone to talk to.”

The studies found that young people particularly valued the flexibility of hubs, the relationships they were able to build with staff, and the ability to access support with a range of issues affecting their wellbeing, from mental health and education through to housing, employment and social connection. For many, this joined-up approach was one of the biggest strengths of the model. 

Another young person captured this perfectly: “It’s so convenient. It’s like popping into Asda, needing food and cleaning products and dog food.”

Importantly, Cheshire & Merseyside helped shape this national evidence base. Three local DHSC-funded pilot services, YPAS, Warrington Youth Zone and YMCA St Helens, participated in the evaluation, ensuring that the experiences of young people and practitioners from our region contributed directly to the research. 

For those familiar with Seen, Heard, Supported? Young Voices, Local Services: A Cheshire & Merseyside Review of Emotional Wellbeing and Early Mental Health Support, much of the national learning will feel familiar. Many of the themes identified by children and young people across Cheshire & Merseyside are reflected throughout the papers: the importance of trusted relationships, easier routes into support, community-based provision, early intervention, and services that work with the realities of young people’s lives rather than expecting them to fit into organisational boundaries. 

The research is equally honest about the challenges. Staff and managers spoke about increasing demand, growing complexity of need, and the difficulties created by short-term funding arrangements. At the same time, they highlighted the vital role hubs play in filling the gap between no support at all and specialist mental health services. 

As one practitioner explained: “No problem’s too big or too small for people to bring to mental health advice.”

Taken together, the national evaluation and the Cheshire & Merseyside review provide growing evidence for the value of Emotional Wellbeing Hubs, Youth Futures Hubs and other community-based early intervention approaches. At a time when demand for support continues to rise, they offer a compelling reminder that young people do not just need services when they reach crisis point. They need places where they feel welcomed, listened to and supported long before they get there. 

Read the published papers:

Young people’s experiences of Early Support Hubs: A qualitative investigation of young people’s experiences and views of Early Support Hubs across Eng…

Frontline staff perspectives on Early Support Hubs: A qualitative investigation of views on practice in early support hubs from staff working in care an…

Managers’ perspectives on Early Support Hubs: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10488-026-01517-7