About us

At Youth Matters Kirklees, our mission is clear: to empower Kirklees’ youth and our wider community. Through innovative programs, mentorship, and community partnerships, we provide the support and opportunities young people and the community need to thrive. We’re dedicated to fostering leadership, inclusivity, and social responsibility, shaping a brighter future for our youth and our community. We are dedicated to providing high quality projects that are accessible for all young people and the community in fun safe spaces where they can meet new friends, gain new life skills and reduce isolation .

Founded in Huddersfield in 2022, Youth Matters Kirklees has been a driving force in reigniting Kirklees youth and community services’. Since our inception, we’ve opened 8 projects, reached hundreds of young people and made a positive impact in our community.

Our vision is for all young people aged 8 – 17 years old who live in Kirklees and surrounding areas to have access to a low cost or free youth service. Alongside this we are providing a community project for all in the heart of Golcar providing low cost meals and activities.

We can’t wait to meet you and have you join our ever growing tribe.

Our services and projects

Current projects

Slaithwaite Youth Club

Parkwood Community Project (Partnership)

Home Ed Youth Club

Haf Holiday Programmes

Previous Projects

Detached & Outreach

NCS Dewsbury

NCS Huddersfield

Linthwaite Youth Club (Pride in Linthwaite Partnership)

One of the best decisions I ever made was offering a contract for youth services to Cheryl for the running of Slaithwaite Youth Clubs. She is the most dedicated Youth Worker I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I’m so proud to have helped her get her own social enterprise up and running 😊

- Susan Greenwood

My daughter has really enjoyed the social aspect of the local youth club run by Cheryl. She is allowed to be her authentic self in a fun, creative, safe and supportive environment. She has enjoyed all the different activities, especially meeting professionals from different working backgrounds. She has also enjoyed meeting new friends and has felt like a valued member of the club. This is much needed service that my daughter would sorely miss if it wasn’t available.

- Sam Allan

My daughter absolutely loves coming to youth club. She has learned how the tuck shop works and money matters, how to cook chip butties, toasties, hot chocolate and many more. Every week is a new adventure with new friends.

- Jemma Marshall

My son loves youth club, he is encouraged to explore activities he will enjoy and to take part in new activities, he may not have attempted. He has made loads of friends, he is given space to interact with those friends or just sit on his own and people watch if he is tired or overstimulated. He looks forward to the school holidays ending, because then youth club starts up again.

- Gail Sykes

Cheryl and the team work incredibly hard and are regarded with great affection by my children. We feel very lucky to have the service in Kirklees and it has had a positive effect on my children in regards to confidence, relationships and their development.

(It has made a) big difference. My child is home ed so we didn't know how he'd go with full days...and the evening sessions too... but he loved it. The opportunity to connect with other young people and make friends in a safe environment...with adult leaders that he trusts to keep him safe (in every respect)...was fantastic. He didn't hesitate when we asked him if he wanted to go again and if we hadn't have been away on hol he would have come to them all. As his parents, it was invaluable to us to see him happy, relaxed, connected...and to enable more rest for dad...who has a serious health condition/disability...and some time for mum to work...as the only earner in the home working around home educating...so thank you. We really value the services you offer...they make a big difference...thank you.

HAF group also term time youth club is the best thing I did for my child to go to... its absolutely brilliant... I feel my child is extremely safe there... my child absolutely loves going... thankyou for everything to Cheryl and her team 🙂

Well organised and kept my child from the boredom of summer.
This venue is a lifeline for us as a family, keeping my daughter occupied and grounded paving her future.

You’ve provided a safe place with lovely staff and great activities. It has enriched my son’s summer. I would highly recommend these HAF clubs to any parent.