Supporting and empowering young people in Northstowe   

Northstowe is being developed with wellbeing and sustainability in mind, and a big part of this involves creating a sense of belonging among the emerging resident population. 

As the master developer for the remaining phases of Northstowe, Homes England actively supports community wellbeing, cohesion, and sustainability through the development of the emerging town. For example, Homes England is funding a dedicated youth worker to support the growing population of Northstowe via Section 106. This funding is being administered by Cambridgeshire County Council and the Northstowe Support Partnership. 

About Emma 

Emma Whitbread is a dedicated youth worker at Romsey Mill, a charity committed to overcoming disadvantage, challenging injustice and promoting social inclusion with young people, children and families. Working closely with young people across Northstowe and Cambourne, Emma is making significant strides in the emerging town’s youth community, supporting young residents as they navigate the unique experience of growing up within a town under development. 

Bridging gaps and building friendships  

One of Emma’s key focuses is supporting young people who may be struggling to engage in education, such as those who are being homeschooled or may feel detached from the traditional school environment.  

Emma’s efforts are also directed at helping young people settle into Northstowe, addressing some of the unique challenges that come with living in a town which is still under development. She helps young people from different schools to connect and encourages participation in activities even before children start school, fostering a cohesive and supportive community. This is especially important in a diverse community within which people from many different backgrounds already call home. 

Leveraging local amenities and partnerships 

From organising trips to local activity centres like Clip n Climb, Flip Out and Gauntlet Auto Project, to collaborating with Northstowe Arts on youth initiatives, Emma’s work helps to enrich young lives and enhance the quality of life through culture and art. 

Emma and her team are making the most of the community amenities available in Northstowe, such as running open-access youth clubs every Wednesday at The Cabin on The Green. These sessions provide a safe space for young people to gather, socialise, and learn new skills. Romsey Mill also works closely with Northstowe Youth Hive, a local grass-roots youth charity that helped set up youth work in Northstowe. Together, both Romsey Mill and Northstowe Youth Hive work in partnership to run youth projects and build connections with other key partners in the community.

Looking ahead, Emma will help to engage young people in the planning and development of community spaces, ensuring that new facilities meet the needs and preferences of those who will go on to use them. She is also interested in supporting young people to access opportunities and get their first job, building skills and experience to serve them later down the line. 

Volunteer opportunities 

But all of this work cannot be done by one person alone. Romsey Mill is supported by a network of committed volunteers, including local Northstowe residents who bring their own experiences and insights to support the community. Partnerships with local entities such as the Northstowe Hub Café and Youth Hive further amplify the impact of these efforts. 

To further expand the reach and effectiveness of these important workstreams, Romsey Mill actively welcomes more volunteers to get in touch. Volunteering not only supports young people in the community, enabling residents to do something meaningful and make a tangible difference - it also provides a great opportunity to integrate into the community and meet new people. 

If you are interested in volunteering with Romsey Mill to help ensure that Northstowe is a place where young people thrive, click here to sign up to volunteer today.