Million Hours Fund Evaluation - Second Interim Report

Introduction

This report examines what happened during phase 2 of the Million Hours Fund. In this phase groups provided additional youth activities in areas where young people may be at greater risk of anti-social behaviour.

The report uses information from surveys, interviews, and monitoring data collected in 2025. It explains how organisations used the funding and who took part. It also tells us what changed for young people, youth groups, and the community.

Findings

The Million Hours Fund’s target was to support 1 million added hours of youth activities. By June 2025 it delivered at least 2.6 million hours through 238 funded organisations.

The funding helped organisations:

• hire and train staff  

• stay open for longer hours  

• rent spaces and buy equipment  

• change activities to fit what young people need

Young people shared that they:  

• felt more confident

• felt safe

• had good relationships with staff  

• thought trusting adults was the most important thing for good results

Taking part in these activities helped young people:  

• build confidence  

• feel better about themselves  

• learn useful skills, especially if they joined for a long time

The funding also helped youth groups:  

• grow and work with others  

• make their communities safer and more connected

Some groups are uncertain how much activity they’ll be able to continue to deliver after the funding ends.