Support is key for the young unemployed

In our experience the most effective way to change the lives of young people is through positive support.

This is particularly important for young people living in social housing because they frequently experience inter-generational and multiple disadvantage such as poverty, poor educational attainment and long-term unemployment. It results in low aspirations and a low sense of personal agency and develops a negative attitude towards society and the world around them.

At Hyde we have developed an extensive programme of support for our young residents to help develop aspirations, self esteem and re-engage positively with the society. Our youth development programme aims to increase aspirations and achievements and to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour. Our in-house youth workers run activities, organise clubs and support community centres, while our money and jobs advisers give one-to-one support to help young people of working age avoid poverty and access work and training.

We also partner with the Prince’s Trust and the Walcot Foundation to fight poverty and empower young people to gain skills and confidence, gain accredited training and make the most of their lives.

Low income need not be a barrier to achieving more. Last year we awarded over 260 Hyde Young Pride bursaries to residents under 17 to encourage them to take part in constructive activities such as school trips, learning a musical instrument or sport, or extra tuition.

Youth unemployment is often linked to lack of support and culture of achievement within families. In Islington we worked with 17 other organisations to provide a ‘think family’ approach support to young parents on low incomes and with multiple problems. The project prevented a number of children from going on the ‘at risk’ register, while their parents were helped to gain parenting and money skills, find paid work and lead more structured lives.

We know that these projects can help youngsters to have the lives they aspire to and avoid poverty and unemployment and we will continue to invest in this work.

Sarah Thurman, director, Hyde Plus, social and economic regeneration service at The Hyde Group