Biglands Youth Centre Opening Marks a Milestone for Tower Hamlets Youth Support
Tower Hamlets celebrated the opening of two new youth centres this week in Bigland Green (Shadwell Ward) and Christian Street (Whitechapel Ward), expanding safe, welcoming spaces for young people in the borough. Coinciding with National Youth Work Week (4-10 November), the launch brings the total number of council-run and commissioned youth centres to 15, with three more planned by year-end.
The festive opening at Bigland Green saw young people participating in free activities like henna art, face painting, and enjoying refreshments. Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Cllr Maium Talukdar, and Deputy Young Mayor Iffat Bhuiyan led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, formally opening the new centres.
Cllr Talukdar, who is also Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, expressed gratitude: “Thank you to everyone who joined us for the launch. These new spaces reflect our commitment to supporting young people’s wellbeing and development. I especially thank our youth workers this National Youth Work Week for making our youth service goals a reality.”
During the week, youth centres across the borough hosted activities including sensory garden projects for autistic youth, rap and spoken word workshops, and art initiatives exploring diversity.
These new centres are part of a £13.7 million investment by Tower Hamlets Council in youth services through the Young Tower Hamlets initiative. Offering over 100 free activities, the centres provide spaces for young people to connect, get academic support, and explore job and training opportunities. The two new centres will offer basketball, table tennis, board games, pool, and homework support, helping to foster growth and community for Tower Hamlets’ youth.
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