The purpose of the ‘Back on Track’ research was to investigate young people’s concerns as they move out of lockdown and make the tentative return back to education.
As the Government relaxes restrictions young people find themselves desperately in need of access to safe spaces, positive mentors, mediation and mental health support – the fundamentals of good youth services. However, these services have suffered devastating cuts of 70% since 2010/11. Five months into a global pandemic, this vulnerable and disproportionately affected group find themselves anxious, isolated and futureless.
77% of young people have felt lonelier and more isolated during lockdown and more than half are worried about falling behind at school. Focusing on the issues that young people are facing coming out of lockdown, the research shines a light on the fundamental need for good youth services in order to support these.
Naturally, this pressure will have affected young people’s overall mental health and YMCA found that 57% stated their mental health has worsened and more than two-fifths (43%) are worried about their wellbeing as they come out of the lockdown.
Financial and family worries have also been a cause for concern, as more than half of young people report feeling worried about family job loss or not having enough money and 58% have reported that their relationships with family have become strained during lockdown.
Each year YMCAs help thousands of young people and have engaged with even more communities online since the pandemic began. We hope that by releasing this report we can encourage investment in youth services, so that we can continue to help young people prepare for the future. Download the full report, Back on Track, below.
Download the reportIf you want to find out more about this research or if you have a query, please contact our Policy team on policy@ymca.org.uk