Birkenhead’s The Hive Youth Zone Hits 20,000-Member Mark 2026

Key Points

• The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead has hit the 20,000 membership mark just before its 10-year anniversary.
• The independent youth charity was launched in 2017 and caters for young people from Wirral.
• Anyone aged between eight and 19 qualifies for membership, as well as anyone aged up to 25 who has an additional need.
• In excess of 900 young people attend The Hive each week, that’s more than 100 more compared to this time last year.
• Approximately one-third of all members have an additional need.
• It costs £5 annually to be a member of The Hive, with 50p charge being levied per visit.
• The venue offers over 20 different activities every single session ranging from sport, arts, music, drama, climbing, to employability workshops.
• Chief Executive Jayne Wilson stated the milestone is a testament to the efforts of all employees and the trust young people and their families put in the organization.
• According to the latest impact statistics, 78% of young people experienced raised or sustained self-confidence, whereas 80% raised or sustained their aspirations.
• Two former members, Alex Tolond and Mollie McKee shared how important The Hive was to their confidence, development, and ambitions.

Birkenhead (Liverpool standard) August 21, 2026 — has welcomed its 20,000th member as the uk/local/birkenhead/">Birkenhead-based youth centre approaches its 10th anniversary of supporting young people across the Wirral borough.

The milestone has been announced as the centre continues to record weekly attendance of more than 900 young people. This represents an increase of more than 100 visitors compared with the same period last year, according to information provided by The Hive Youth Zone.

The Hive, which opened in 2017, provides a space for young people aged from eight to 19. It also supports members aged up to 25 who have additional needs. The organisation said around one third of its members have an additional need.

Why has The Hive Youth Zone reached 20,000 members?

The Hive Youth Zone said the 20,000-member mark reflects nearly a decade of activity at the centre, which has sought to provide a safe and inclusive setting for young people from across Wirral.

Membership costs £5 per year, with a 50p charge for each visit. Members can take part in more than 20 activities per session, including sports, arts, music, drama, climbing and employability workshops.

The centre’s work also includes youth-work support intended to help young people build confidence and resilience, raise aspirations, and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

Jayne Wilson, chief executive officer of The Hive Youth Zone, said in a statement: “Reaching 20,000 members is an incredible milestone for The Hive.

“It reflects the incredible work of our team and the trust that young people, their families and the wider community place in us.

“More than ever, young people are craving real places where they can connect and feel part of a community.

“For many, The Hive is that place.

“We’re incredibly proud of our growing reach and the positive impact we’re creating with young people across Wirral.

“We couldn’t do it without the support of our amazing community, and we’re so grateful to all the local businesses and fundraisers who make our work possible.”

What support and activities does The Hive Youth Zone provide?

The Hive Youth Zone offers activities designed to cover recreational, creative and practical interests. Its programme includes sports, art, music, drama and climbing, alongside employability workshops.

The centre said these activities are available as part of more than 20 options during each session. The arrangement gives members opportunities to choose activities based on their interests while also accessing support from youth workers.

The youth-work team supports young people in areas including confidence, resilience and aspirations. The organisation said its work extends beyond recreation, with staff working to create an environment where members can develop skills and feel supported.

The Hive’s recent impact data recorded self-reported outcomes from young people using the centre. It found that 78% reported increased or maintained self-confidence. A further 80% reported increased or maintained aspirations.

The data does not state that every member experienced the same outcome. However, it sets out the organisation’s reported measures of how young people using the service viewed changes or continuity in their confidence and future goals.

How many young people attend The Hive each week?

More than 900 young people currently visit The Hive Youth Zone every week, the organisation said. The weekly number is more than 100 higher than the attendance figure recorded at the same point last year.

The centre has not provided a detailed breakdown of the weekly attendance by age group, activity or location. It has said, however, that its membership offer includes young people aged eight to 19, as well as young adults up to the age of 25 with additional needs.

Around one in three members has an additional need, according to The Hive. The organisation said this forms part of its commitment to maintaining an inclusive setting for young people across the borough.

The continuing increase in weekly attendance comes as The Hive approaches 10 years since it opened in 2017. Its 20,000th-member milestone covers the total number of members welcomed by the organisation since its launch rather than a stated figure for current active membership.

What have former members said about The Hive Youth Zone?

Alex Tolond, who helped shape The Hive before it opened, said the youth centre had supported him during a difficult period in his life.

Mr Tolond said: “The team at The Hive were there for me through one of the toughest times of my life.

“They helped me find my resilience and grow from being quite shy to confident enough to share my story with all kinds of people.

“I found a passion for youth work through them and still support the Junior Council and Hive Ambassadors today.

“Youth work like what the team at The Hive deliver is what every young person deserves.”

His comments describe his personal experience of support from the youth-work team and his subsequent involvement with the Junior Council and Hive Ambassadors.

Former member and ambassador Mollie McKee also spoke about the centre’s influence on her development and her interest in singing.

Ms McKee said:

“Without The Hive, I would never have become the person I am today.

“I would spend seven nights a week at The Hive, it was like my home.

“I love singing and the team helped me grow as a singer and become confident enough to perform on stage, even getting us the opportunity to sing at The Royal Albert Hall.

“It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for the experiences that The Hive gave me.”

Ms McKee’s statement refers to opportunities that enabled her to perform, including an occasion at the Royal Albert Hall. Her account also reflects the role she said the youth centre played in helping her feel more confident as a performer.

Who funds The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead?

The Hive Youth Zone is part of the OnSide Network of Youth Zones, while operating as an independent charity.

The organisation said its work is supported by businesses, charitable trusts, individual donors, volunteers and fundraisers from the community. This backing helps the centre provide its activities and youth-work offer to members.

Ms Wilson specifically thanked local businesses and fundraisers in her statement, saying their contribution was important to the organisation’s work.

The Hive has consistently focused on providing a place where young people can belong, develop and pursue their potential. The centre said the combined support of its staff, volunteers, donors, fundraisers and local partners has helped create an environment in which young people can feel safe, supported and inspired.

What is the background to The Hive Youth Zone’s 20,000-member milestone?

The Hive Youth Zone opened in Birkenhead in 2017 to serve young people across Wirral. As it nears its 10th anniversary, the centre has reported reaching 20,000 members and attracting more than 900 weekly visitors.

The organisation is part of the OnSide Network of Youth Zones but operates independently as a charity. Its model combines low-cost membership, activities and youth-worker support for people aged eight to 19, with provision extending to those up to 25 with additional needs.

The reported milestone comes alongside the centre’s stated attendance growth and its impact data on confidence and aspirations among young people who use its services.

How could The Hive Youth Zone’s growth affect young people in Wirral?

For current and potential young members, higher attendance and continued community support could mean that The Hive remains available as a place to access activities, youth-worker guidance and opportunities to meet others.

For parents, carers and families, the centre’s growth may indicate continuing demand for its membership offer, particularly its activities and support for young people with additional needs.

For local businesses, donors, volunteers and fundraisers, the milestone highlights the role their support has played in sustaining the charity’s work. The longer-term impact will depend on future funding, staffing, facilities and the organisation’s ability to continue meeting demand from young people across Wirral.