Tower Hamlets Launches Groundbreaking Girls-Only Youth Centre
A pioneering girls-only youth centre has officially opened its doors in Bow, Tower Hamlets, marking a significant milestone in youth provision for East London. The St Paul’s Way Centre began welcoming young women and girls aged 11 to 19, including up to 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), on Thursday, January 29.
Part of a Major £13.7 Million Youth Investment
This innovative facility forms a crucial component of Tower Hamlets Council's substantial £13.7 million investment into youth services across the borough. The centre represents the council's commitment to enhancing safety, opportunities, and overall wellbeing specifically for women and girls, responding directly to feedback from young people who expressed a need for more dedicated spaces.
The centre will operate on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:30pm to 8:30pm, offering a diverse programme of activities. Key sessions include self-defence classes, career advice workshops, and various wellbeing initiatives designed to build confidence and skills among participants.
Council Leadership Celebrates Achievement
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, expressed immense pride in this development, stating: "Young people told us they wanted more spaces designed for girls, and we have worked together to develop the space and the sessions it will offer." He highlighted that Tower Hamlets is now leading the way with groundbreaking levels of investment in young people, particularly noteworthy at a time when many youth centres are closing nationwide.
Mayor Rahman added: "My youth centre was a lifeline for me growing up in overcrowded housing. We have built one of the most ambitious youth services in the country to ensure our young people have every opportunity to thrive, with inclusive provision that supports the wellbeing and confidence of young women and girls."
Creating Safe Spaces and Empowering Voices
Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, emphasised the centre's role in empowerment: "This is all about empowering young people to access services in the way that feels right for them. This new youth centre will encourage even more young people to access the opportunities available to them."
Youth worker Wafa Saciid shared her enthusiasm for the dedicated girls' space, noting: "They lack places like this, and it is a place where they can feel safe, engage, grow and be supported." She observed significant improvements in participants' mental health and personal development, describing how young people "grow from the bottom" when given proper opportunities.
Personal Testimonies Highlight Impact
Salena Miah, Deputy Young Mayor and Cabinet Member for Community in Tower Hamlets, reflected on the centre's importance in contemporary society: "We currently live in a society where women are often scrutinised and put under the eye and don’t feel safe within their communities. So this centre has done a really good job in creating a safe space for young women and girls."
Former Deputy Young Mayor Khadija Dirir described feeling privileged to be part of the initiative, noting the remarkable growth from just a few youth establishments to twenty across the borough during her term. This expansion visibly demonstrated the positive impact on young people's lives.
Future Expansion Plans
Tower Hamlets Council maintains ambitious plans for further youth provision development, aiming to establish a youth centre in every ward. The next scheduled opening is set for Canary Wharf, continuing the borough's commitment to comprehensive youth support alongside existing initiatives like universal free school meals and educational grants.
This girls-only centre represents more than just another facility; it embodies a transformative approach to youth services that prioritises safety, empowerment, and tailored support for young women in East London.
