Registered Charity Number 1156805
Vision, Mission & Values
Who We Are
Tokko Youth Hub is a charity in the heart of Luton supporting young people aged 13 yrs – 19 yrs or up to 24 yrs for those with Special Educational Needs (SEND) or young parents. Through weekly group sessions at our purpose-built facility and outreach in schools and the community, we provide a variety of activities and 1:1 support, fostering positive outcomes and holistic development to empower and encourage young people to lead happy and healthy lives.
What We Do
We facilitate six core weekly groups, the Drop-in, Just Like You Inclusion Group, OK2B, Ladies with Positive Attitudes, Boys 2 Men and Young Parents, and two support services, Brief Intervention Counselling and the Freedom Programme. These initiatives and our purpose-built facility’s safe and inclusive environment provide opportunities to explore new interests and personal development and access specialist support for those facing challenges, helping all young people achieve their full potential.
Groups:
Drop-in: A safe space for Luton youth (13 yrs-19 yrs) with fun activities and workshops every Wednesday and Saturday.
Just Like You (Inclusion Group)for young people (13 yrs – 24yrs with SEND) to connect, build social skills, and celebrate neurodiversity through activities every Tuesday.
OK2B: Support group for LGBTQ+ youth (13 yrs-19 yrs), offering activities, personalised support, and empowerment through education and activism every Thursday.
Ladies with Positive Attitude (LWPA): Supports young women (13y rs -19 yrs), focusing on empowerment, healthy relationships, and independence through activities and mentoring every Friday.
Boys2Men (B2M): Supports young males (13 yrs-19 yrs), fostering informed choices, mental well-being, and skills through activities and mentoring every Monday.
Young Parents Project: Supports young parents (13yrs-24 yrs) in Luton with guidance, advocacy, and holistic care, including Tokko Totz (Children under 5yrs) sessions.
Support Services:
Brief Interventions Counselling: Safe, confidential support for young people (11 yrs-18 yrs) living in Luton, to enhance their emotional and mental health.
Freedom Programme: Supports young people (14 yrs – 24 yrs) impacted by domestic abuse, offering tailored sessions for victims and perpetrators to foster safer futures.
Our Vision
All young people in Luton to be happy, healthy and to aspire.
Our Mission
To support young people aged 13 yrs – 24 yrs by engaging, encouraging, and empowering them to lead happy, healthy lives and reach their full potential.
Our Values
Supportive: We provide a nurturing environment where every young person feels valued.
Welcoming: Our doors are open to all, embracing diversity and inclusivity.
Inclusive: We believe in equal opportunities, ensuring no one is left behind.
Progressive: Continuously innovating to meet the evolving needs of our community.
Trustworthy: Building relationships based on integrity, transparency, and mutual respect.
Our History
Tokko Youth Hub evolved from a Luton voluntary sector bid in 2009, under the government’s MyPlace programme to develop new youth initiatives to ensure:
- More young people, parents and communities feeling that they have attractive and safe places to go in their leisure time where they can get involved in a wide range of activities
- More young people, particularly the most disadvantaged, participating in positive leisure time activities that support their personal and social development
- More young people having access to information, advice and guidance services from within places they feel comfortable
- Stronger partnership working between local authorities and their third, private and public sector partners to plan, deliver and operate financially sustainable facilities with, and for, young people.
Since our inception, TOKKO has continuously evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of the local community, ensuring we provide effective and meaningful support to a diverse range of young people.
Below are some of our proudest achievements—milestones that have shaped TOKKO into the dynamic, impactful charity we are today, driven by our passion for making a positive difference in the lives of young people.
2025
- New Identity: Tokko Youth Hub launches its new name, better reflecting the support offered to young people.
- Facility Updates: Youth Investment Funded refurbished facilities are unveiled, including Luton’s first youth-dedicated gym.
2024
- Major Grant: Secured a £1.3 million grant from the Youth Investment Fund to upgrade the building’s facilities.
2023
- Award Recognition: Won The Rank Foundation Gold Award for Covid-19 support for young people.
- Kickstart Success: Welcomed a Kickstart learner through the newly launched government initiative. They went on to win the first UK Kickstart Award.
2022
- Recruitment- new CEO, Aimee Djengiz starts in post
- Transport Milestone: Secured funding for the Tokko minibus.
2021
- Community Leadership: Tokko becomes the chair of The Luton Children & Young People’s Network.
2020
- Pandemic Response: Co-founded The Luton Children & Young People’s Network to address young people’s needs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Business Hero Award: Recognised for outstanding support to young people during the Covid-19 crisis.
2019
- Fundraising Achievement: Hosted the first large charity auction and event.
2018
- Domestic Violence Support: Began delivering the Freedom Programme to support young people affected by domestic violence.
2017
- Business Excellence: Winner of the SME Bedfordshire Business of the Year Award.
2016
- Hate Crime Reporting: Became the first Hate Crime Reporting Centre for young people in partnership with Bedfordshire Police.
2015
- New Partnerships: Became the first direct delivery partner of The Prince’s Trust in the UK with the Fairbridge Programme.
- Young Parents Project: Launched a specialised support programme for young parents (up to age 25).
2014
- LGBTQ+ Support: Established the OK2B group, supporting LGBTQ+ young people.
2013
- Centre Opening: Opened the purpose-built centre, offering Bedfordshire’s first free counselling service for young people.
- Inclusion Group: Launched the “Just Like You” Inclusion Group.
2012
- Foundation: Tokko Youth Space is set up to manage the centre, with the name chosen by young people.
2011
- Construction Begins: Work starts on the site, with young people involved every step of the way.
2010
- Design Finalised: The design for the proposed youth dedicated centre are developed and finalised collaboration with Luton’s young people.
2009
- Funding Approved: A local third sector consortium secures £4.75 million under The Big Lottery’s MyPlace initiative.
Luton Children & Young People’s Network
There are lots of fantastic organisations in Luton and the surrounding area with the common objective of support young people in the local community. With the local youth climate and priorities constantly changing it is important to keep in touch regularly to understand on what is out there, share ideas, best practice and identify new opportunities.
Read MoreFunders & Partners
There are lots of fantastic organisations in Luton and the surrounding area with the common objective of support young people in the local community. With the local youth climate and priorities constantly changing it is important to keep in touch regularly to understand on what is out there, share ideas, best practice and identify new opportunities.
Read More
