The Citizen Hub: transforming access, opportunity and community

When we first looked at St Neots, the gap was obvious. Adults in the town had nowhere to turn for training, advice, or employment support: no Job Centre, no further education college, and no easy way to upskill or re-enter the workforce. Young people could travel to Cambridge Regional College’s Cambridge or Huntingdon campuses, or to Bedford College, but for adults, the barriers were real and persistent. 

The Citizen Hub was created to change that. Our vision was simple: a welcoming, accessible space at the heart of the community, where anyone – regardless of background or circumstance – could walk in, feel safe, and get the support they needed. The hub is staffed by a dedicated team from CRC and our partner college, alternating days and working alongside local charities, social action groups, and money advice organisations. We offer in-person, bespoke advice, always starting with what people need most: a sense of safety and belonging. Only then do we help them take the next step whether that’s training, careers advice, or simply a conversation about what’s possible.

The hub is designed to be as inclusive and responsive as possible. We provide front-door triage and guidance, skills assessments, and rapid progression pathways into short courses, bootcamps, and employment. Our approach is deeply personalised: every learner’s journey is different, and we work hard to make sure our support fits their needs. 

We’ve rebuilt our adult skills bootcamps in direct response to employer input gathered at hub business gatherings. Delivery is now closer to employer demand and learners, with courses like forklift and logistics, teaching assistant, digital marketing, and cyber security. Employers such as MM Flowers and Moss Group co-design content, deliver live briefs, and commit to interviewing students. This partnership means our training is always relevant, practical, and leads to real opportunities. 

The World of Work (WoW) team provides real-time advice to young people via Teams from the hub, ensuring one-to-one guidance for both adults and young people. We’ve also set up links between the hub and the college’s careers advisers, so anyone who walks in can get expert support quickly regardless of age.

The Citizen Hub now engages approx. 300 people on a weekly basis for various clubs, activities or just as a safe space to sit. For training, since opening, the Citizen Hub has supported over 100 people, a mix of young people (primarily those not in education, employment or training (NEET)) and adults who are unemployed, at risk, or looking to retrain.

More than 50 individuals have received advice and guidance, and 31 have taken courses, with 87% achieving their goals. Of those, 55% have progressed to a positive destination: 40% into work and 60% into further study. 

Feedback is overwhelmingly positive:

• 100% of learners would recommend their course and college to others
• 95% report increased confidence
• 96% feel clearer about their career goals
• 98% have improved social skills
• 95% feel more motivated

Jay, for example, joined the Discover Construction course to get his CSCS card. He gained better CV knowledge, health and safety awareness, and his CSCS card. Jay said, “It has changed the way I look at site safety.” His tutor described him as engaged, knowledgeable, and ready for the next step, which he has now taken and is in full time employment.

Our ambition is to see Citizen Hubs wherever they are needed. For CRC, this means expanding across Cambridgeshire and supporting the development of hubs in other areas for their moral and social value. Wimbledon will open in early 2026, with Peterborough not far behind. Each new hub will be shaped by local needs, but the core principle remains: accessible, person-centred support for adults who need it most.

If you’re thinking of launching something similar, start with the community. Listen to what people need, build partnerships with local employers and charities, and make your space welcoming and informal. Don’t be afraid to adapt: our curriculum and offer have changed in response to feedback from learners, employers, and the wider community. Co-design is key: monthly meetings with all partners keep us agile and responsive. 

Above all, remember that success isn’t just measured in numbers. It’s about changing lives, building confidence, and creating a sense of belonging. The Citizen Hub stands as a beacon of inclusive, place-based education and support, transforming lives through partnership and purpose.

Kate Da Costa is the Deputy Principal – Curriculum Development at Cambridge Regional College