A prominent MP has praised the “shining example” of a North Devon youth hub as pressure on children’s mental health services continues to mount.
Layla Moran, Chair of Parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee, visited the Young Devon Early Support Hub in Barnstaple on Friday. Ian Roome, MP for North Devon, also highlighted the centre’s work supporting young people in the community.
Young Devon is one of 24 early support hubs in England providing open-access mental health support for 11 to 25-year-olds. Services include counselling, group work, psychological therapies and specialist advice on issues such as sexual health, money worries, employment, and drugs and alcohol.
The visit comes as Parliament’s Health and Education Committees have launched a joint inquiry into children’s and adolescent mental health. The inquiry will examine how provision such as the Early Support Hub programme is improving access to support.
Youth mental health in Devon remains under significant pressure. A 2024 school survey found that 56% of distressed young people had not spoken to anyone about their difficulties, 31% were on waiting lists, and 42% struggled to communicate their feelings. Concerns about the future, climate change and social media pressures were frequently cited as contributing factors.
Layla, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: “Visiting Young Devon was a breath of fresh air. It is a shining example of responsive community based support for young people. Young people can just walk in, and incredible staff will listen to what they need.”
She added: “I’m delighted that the Government has responded to concerns raised around the cuts to funding for Early Support Hubs and will continue to support them for a further year. I will press for this funding commitment to be made permanent.”
Ian said: “I’ve seen Young Devon’s immense support for young people in our community. Their success speaks for itself, and it is clearly a model that should be championed across the country.”
The Liberal Democrats have described early support hubs as “crucial” for young people. The party has called for regular mental health check-ups, new mental health hubs for young people, and a mental health professional in every school.
