Youth unemployment: YMCA South Midlands is already part of the solution
As Prime Minister Andy Burnham calls for urgent action to tackle the growing number of young people not in employment, education or training, YMCA South Midlands is highlighting the importance of providing young people with the right support and opportunities to fulfil their potential.
With almost one million young people aged 16 to 24 across the UK currently not in education, employment or training, the Prime Minister has described the situation as an “economic catastrophe and moral failure”.
Writing in The Times, Andy Burnham called for a fundamental change in how young people are supported, arguing that the focus should shift from managing unemployment through the benefits system to investing in young people’s ambitions and helping them succeed.
At YMCA South Midlands, this is an approach we have believed in and put into practice for many years.
Understanding the barriers
For many young people, the journey into employment is far from straightforward.
A lack of qualifications or experience can make finding work difficult, but there are often other challenges too. Unstable housing, poor mental health, low self-esteem and limited support networks can all affect a young person’s ability to access opportunities.
Simply providing job vacancies is not always enough.
At YMCA South Midlands, we recognise that every young person has different experiences, strengths and ambitions. Our approach is to understand the individual, build on their potential and provide the support they need to move forward.
Creating the foundations for success
Across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire, YMCA South Midlands supports young people to develop the confidence, skills and independence they need to build brighter futures.
Our work goes far beyond providing accommodation. Through personalised support, coaching and opportunities for personal development, we help young people overcome barriers, discover their strengths and take positive steps towards education, training and employment.
Our supported housing pathway reflects this approach.
We begin by helping young people establish a sense of belonging, providing a safe and supportive environment where they can develop confidence and stability.
We then focus on helping them contribute, encouraging personal development, building independence and supporting them to discover their own sense of purpose.
Ultimately, our aim is to help young people thrive, with the skills, opportunities and confidence to move into employment and independent living.
Our dedicated employment support helps residents explore career opportunities, develop their CVs, prepare for interviews and take practical steps towards meaningful work.
But just as importantly, we help young people recognise their own potential.
117 jobs. 117 opportunities to build a brighter future.
Over the last year, YMCA South Midlands has supported young people into 117 jobs.
Behind that number are young people who have developed new skills, overcome personal challenges, built their confidence and taken important steps towards greater independence.
For some, securing employment represents their first experience of earning a wage. For others, it offers renewed confidence, a sense of purpose and the opportunity to plan for the future.
These are the outcomes that demonstrate what is possible when young people receive the right support.
Investing in young people works
In his article, the Prime Minister argues that the welfare system should begin with a young person’s ambitions and the support they need to achieve them.
This reflects our experience at YMCA South Midlands.
We know that young people want opportunities to succeed. Sometimes what they need is someone to help them see what is possible and provide the practical and emotional support to get there.
When we invest in young people, we don’t just help them find employment. We help them build confidence, gain independence, develop resilience and establish the foundations for a positive future.
The benefits extend beyond the individual, creating stronger communities and enabling young people to make a valuable contribution to society.
Part of the solution
The national conversation about youth unemployment is an important one, and we welcome the recognition that more must be done to help young people access meaningful opportunities.
But we also know that effective solutions already exist.
Organisations like YMCA South Midlands are delivering personalised, practical support that helps young people overcome barriers and build successful futures.
Our success in supporting young people into 117 jobs over the last year demonstrates the impact this approach can have.
With continued investment, stronger partnerships with employers and greater recognition of the importance of early intervention and individual support, we can reach more young people and create more opportunities.
Every young person deserves the chance to belong, contribute and thrive. At YMCA South Midlands, we’re working to make that happen every day.