This month, we recognize a sad one-year anniversary as the ongoing pandemic and its restrictions continue to impact on people and communities.
The Prince’s Trust launched its annual Index (January 2021) with very sobering feedback from young people across the UK[1]. This year’s Youth Index, which surveyed 2,180 16-25 year olds from across the UK, reveals:
- 60% of young people say that getting a new job feels “impossible now” because there is so much competition
- a quarter (24%) of young people claim that the pandemic has “destroyed” their career aspirations
- Young people state that they are more likely to feel anxious now than at any other time since the Youth Index was first launched over a decade ago
Bursary 2020 Background
In October we launched the Hymans Robertson Bursary, aimed at retaining 16-25 year olds in education, training, volunteering or employment. The Fund is nationwide and supported by four Foundation charity partners (Barnardo’s, FARE, Prince’s Trust and Works+). Our financial education partner (MyBnk – Delivering expert-led financial education to young people) also provides wrap services around the Bursary for young people receiving funding.
Our Impact
Over the last 3 months, charity partners identified over 50 young people in the Scottish Borders, Glasgow and North England to be supported by the Bursary. Young people have been able to access funding for a range of employability and training needs (including driving lessons, interview clothing, work and training kit (tools, digital and data). We also recognize that needs relating to mental health and wellbeing are increasing and the Bursary has been able to support young people access wellbeing sessions with trusted providers.
“the funding gave me the chance to settle in at work without worry about how I was going to get there for the first couple of months”
“the Bursary has allowed me to progress to the Employability Fund Stage 2 course”
“I have just progressed to further training and I’ll be able to do my course work independently at home with my laptop”.
“I’ve secured a new job and feel supported and far less chaotic than I did before. I’m feeling positive about my future”
What’s Next?
The Foundation is committed to supporting young people who, with a little help, can access or continue in training, volunteering and employment. From April 2021, we will double our funding for the Bursary Fund and involve a wider range of our community based charities across the UK. That means over 200 more young people will be supported in 2021/22. Similar to our crisis approach (Hardship Fund), we will work with our local offices and communities to ensure the Bursary is accessible to young people most in need.
Get In Touch
If you feel the Bursary can support you or vulnerable young people you know, please get in touch. We can connect you to one of our charity partners who can help you access Bursary funding.
[1] Youth Index 2021 | Research, policies and reports | About The Trust | The Prince’s Trust (princes-trust.org.uk)
For information please contact Marcella Boyle, CEO, at [email protected]
