CYP Now - We must help young people get fit to embrace the future

It is clear that our most recent lockdown has to be our last, and for so many reasons let us hope that turns out to be the case. After more than a year of to-ing and fro-ing, the UK is in dire need of recovery economically, socially and emotionally. The disruption to life has been seismic for all, not least our young people, whose confidence, social engagement skills and motivational drive have been severely tested.

Martin Bisp: “A consistent multi-agency approach is the only way forward if we are to truly help the next generation thrive in the face of adversity”

How then do we go about getting what is on the brink of becoming a “lost generation” of young people fighting fit again? What skills do we need to be instilling, revising and reintroducing into young people's lives so that they might turn the negatives of the Covid-19 pandemic into positive steps for their future?

Lives on hold

Research shows the experiences of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) is more negative than those who are. All of these factors have directly or indirectly affected our young people since Covid-19. Even those engaged in education during this time were denied the benefit of being immersed within any kind of academic setting for sustained periods. Part-time employment opportunities have been slim for teenagers looking to make their first foray into the world of work. Decisions around higher education and further training opportunities have been deferred or delayed by many while the full economic effects of the pandemic have yet to fully play out. Our young people's lives have been put on hold.

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