The coronavirus pandemic was the biggest public health crisis since World War 2 and will have an enduring effect on society, the way we live and the way we interact, especially for young people.

It has been well documented that the disruption to education, prolonged social isolation and health anxiety have had a negative impact on young people’s mental health. School and university closures have resulted in hours of lost learning, something that is likely to have a knock-on effect for young people as they move into further education and employment.

As we emerge from the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, rising fuel prices and the cost of living crisis have placed new pressures on young people and society as a whole. Whilst many adults will try to shield their children from these issues, older children are likely to pick up on news reports or the anxieties of their parents.

Many colleges are reporting issues with student retention as rising numbers of young people struggle with the rising cost of transport and household bills. These are worrying times for many, and we need to look at how we can support young people now and in the future.

Youth organisations and skilled youth workers have a vital role in helping young people address the issues they are facing post-pandemic.

Youth workers support young people aged between 11-25 years old, including young carers and people at risk of offending. They act as mentors, supporting with the education of young people, whilst running projects focusing on key issues such as mental health, bullying and crime. Youth workers help to introduce young people into new friendship groups helping them to build strong relationships.

A youth worker will also work with young people on an emotional level and often be the first to provide early mental health support.

According to a survey carried out by Young Minds, 67% of young people who took part in the research believe that the pandemic will have a long-term effect on their mental health. It is often spoken about that the need for youth work is never greater than during moments such as the pandemic. This is because life begins to seem uncertain therefore qualified, and skilled youth workers have a vital role to play in the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted youth workers and youth centres?

The UK Youth Fund Report noted that out of the youth organisations that took part in their questionnaire, 20% of youth organisations temporarily closed or prepared to permanently close during the pandemic, while 58% of organisations operated at a reduced level. This included a reduced number of staff and a reduced level of youth work with young people leading to a huge gap between the needs of young people and the sector being able to meet those needs.

What can be done to help?

The government heard from around 6,000 young people across the UK who asked to prioritise regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities, all of which provide young people with a distraction from what is happening in the world, allowing them to focus on themselves, while building new skills and forming new relationships in a safe environment.

The National Citizenship Programme (NCS) is a great example of an adventure away from home, aimed at 16–17 year olds. It incorporates a residential trip, the opportunity to meet new people, gain new skills and make a change in their local community. NCS offers young people a safe environment to grow and learn providing young people with the skills they need to become work and world ready.

The priorities set out by young people themselves have been backed by the governments Youth Investment Fund of £500 million. The fund was first promised in 2019 but it is yet to be used against the needs of young people.

It is more important now than ever before that we work together to support the youth work sector in giving young people a voice to help make the changes needed in order for them to navigate the new way of living.