Scottish youth work contributes £656m to economy

According to a study carried out by Hall Aitken on behalf of YouthLink Scotland, around £90m is spent on local authority and voluntary sector youth work in Scotland.

It was calculated that, combined with the efforts of youth sector volunteers, the investment creates a return of £7 for every £1 of public money spent.

“We have concluded that there is good evidence that youth work does, as many claim on the basis of anecdotal evidence, deliver considerable value,” the report states.

??“A return of £7 of value for every £1 of cash spend seems a reasonable minimum. The actual impact could be much greater.”

??YouthLink Scotland, which represents both the voluntary and statutory side of youth work in Scotland, commissioned the report to demonstrate the value youth work has. ?

Jim Sweeney, chief executive of the national agency, said the findings reinforce what the sector has been seeing for years.

??“We believe that universal youth work, available to all, provides the greatest opportunity in terms of preventative spending, as it can reduce the need for higher-cost targeted interventions later on in a young adult’s life,” he said.

??“Youth work does change lives but it is crucial that we broaden the understanding and support for what this sector delivers for our young people.”

??The research also featured a poll by YouGov, which found that an estimated 450,000 adults in Scotland believe youth work has been important in helping them to achieve their goals. 

??The findings were presented at a major youth work conference hosted by Scotland’s Education Secretary Angela Constance in Edinburgh on Wednesday. ?

“This is excellent research, which shows more clearly than ever the immense value of Scotland’s youth work sector to our economy,” she said.

“Every penny spent is well invested, as this research shows. Youth work builds the self-esteem and confidence of young people, provides space for personal development, and prepares young people for future opportunities.

??“We are proud to invest in youth work programs, which are a valuable complement to the educational system in allowing all of our young people to reach their potential.”