Support is vital to give young people hope for the future

‘It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of unprecedented challenges’

- Jonathan Townsend

THE UNPLEASANT truth is that one year on, the pandemic continues to affect all our lives. Living in uncertainty is difficult for all of us; but young people have been hit hard during their transitional years, facing disrupted learning, a shrinking job market, and isolation from their friends and loved ones.

As this generation looks forward, further into 2021, they will continue to see question marks around their education and employment prospects. I know from our work at The Prince’s Trust that it is times like this that vulnerable young people need the most help, to avoid the damage of long-term unemployment and poor mental health.

The transition from education to work can be turbulent at the best of times, even without a global health crisis and recession exacerbating their experience. We must continue to do everything we can to protect young people’s future employment opportunities, while also recognizing the potential for a mental health crisis if support is not provided quickly.

We have just published two major studies into young people’s mental health and wellbeing, both of which highlight the priority support for young people must take in our recovery from Covid-19.