Youth and Young People

Ashington’s first-ever junior parkrun will burst into life on Sunday 4th October at Hirst Welfare Centre — and every child, family and cheerleader in the town is invited.

Ashington Town Council has approved £2,760 from their youth budget to help Wansbeck Community Links establish a daily base within Ashington YMCA, supporting some of the town’s most vulnerable young people.

Northumberland College has partnered with Bernicia Homes and Dukes Secondary School to launch a new academy which will give young people aged 14-16 the opportunity to develop technical skills while studying for a vocational qualification.

The employer-led Construction Academy will bring education and industry closer together, helping students from Duke’s gain industry experience, build confidence and explore careers in one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors.

Ashington’s People’s Park was filled with music, colour and community spirit on Saturday as the town played host to the inaugural Sound Futures Festival

Ashington’s Civic Head, Councillor Caroline Ball, joined children and staff from Wildfox Day Nursery for a community litter pick at People’s Park on Thursday 20 August, helping to promote the importance of caring for the local environment from a young age.

Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, was delighted to attend Reiverdale Scout Group’s awards ceremony on Wednesday 15 July 2026, celebrating the achievements of the Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scout sections.

Families gathered in the sunshine to celebrate the official opening of the newly refurbished North Seaton Colliery Play Area, marking the start of the school summer holidays in the best possible way.

Ashington Town Council is once again funding free swimming sessions at Ashington Leisure Centre throughout the summer holidays, giving local families a fun, safe and cost-free way to enjoy the school break.

The popular free swim initiative returns from Wednesday 22 July to Saturday 29 August 2026, with two sessions running every week:

Every Wednesday, 1:00pm to 2:00pm Every Saturday, 2:30pm to 3:30pm

There is no need to book – simply turn up at Ashington Leisure Centre to claim a free swim. Eighty slots are available at each session, allocated on a first come, first served basis, so swimmers are encouraged to arrive in good time.

Ashington Town Council is delighted to confirm that it has approved funding of £4,300 towards the establishment of a junior parkrun in Ashington — a free, weekly, volunteer-led 2km run for children aged 4 to 14.

The decision, made unanimously by the Council’s Finance & General Services Committee, means the full £4,800 start-up cost is now in place, with the Council having already committed £500 earlier in the year. Councillors were united in their enthusiasm for the project, describing it as a lasting investment in the health and happiness of the town’s young people, following recommendation by the Council’s Youth Advosiry Committee.

Ashington’s much-loved Fair Day is being reimagined for 2026 as the Sound Futures Festival — a vibrant, youth-led celebration of music, creativity and community taking place at People’s Park on Saturday 22nd August, from 11am to 6pm.