Fresh Futures responds to national concerns about significantly high numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), and calls for greater investment in the services that help young people thrive.
This week’s BBC coverage of the growing NEET crisis paints a stark picture of the challenges facing young people across the UK. Young people have shared stories of hundreds of unsuccessful job applications, years spent searching for work, barriers created by disability and poor mental health, and increasing competition for apprenticeships and entry-level roles. The message was clear: young people are not short of ambition, but many are short of opportunity.
At Fresh Futures, we recognise these stories because they reflect the experiences of many of the young people we support.
However, we also see something else: resilience, determination and untapped potential.
The risk facing our communities is not that young people lack motivation. The real risk is that without sustained investment, coordinated support and meaningful opportunities, we may create a lost generation of young people who become disconnected from education, employment and society through no fault of their own.
Young People Need Opportunity, Not Judgement
The BBC’s reporting echoes findings from Alan Milburn’s national review, which concluded that the challenge is not one of effort, but of access to support and opportunity. For many young people, particularly those experiencing anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD or other additional needs, traditional pathways into education and employment do not always work effectively.
At Brian Jackson College, we have long understood that success is rarely achieved through qualifications alone. It starts with relationships, a feeling of belonging, confidence and feeling understood.
That belief sits at the heart of our alternative education, in particular our Post 16 provision, launched last year to create a safe, supportive learning environment where neurodiverse young people can thrive. We developed the provision in response to a growing need amongst young people who were struggling to flourish within more traditional educational settings and who were at significant risk of becoming disengaged.
By providing personalised support, smaller learning environments and a culture that values each young person’s strengths, we are helping learners re-engage with education, develop confidence and take positive next steps towards adulthood.
The results have been encouraging, with strong progression outcomes and young people demonstrating that, when given the right environment, they can achieve far more than many believed possible.
Every Success Story Matters
Behind every headline about NEET statistics is an individual story.
At Brian Jackson College, we regularly see young people arrive with low confidence, poor previous educational experiences or uncertainty about their future. Through tailored support, consistent relationships and high expectations, they begin to rebuild confidence and discover what they are capable of achieving.
These journeys reinforce a simple truth: young people do not need to be fixed. They need opportunities to succeed.
That is why investment in specialist educational provision, early intervention and youth support services remains so critical. Without them, too many young people risk falling through the gaps between schools, health services, employers and wider systems of support.
Tackling Social Isolation Through Elevate
The BBC coverage also highlighted the growing links between mental health, disability and long-term disengagement from employment and education.
For many young people, isolation can become a significant barrier to progress.
Through Fresh Futures’ elevate programme, we work to tackle that challenge directly. Elevate creates opportunities for peer connection, helping young people build meaningful relationships, increase confidence and develop a stronger sense of belonging.
For young people who are furthest from the workforce, Elevate also provides opportunities to develop employability skills, build aspirations and gain confidence in taking their next steps towards education, volunteering, training or employment.
We know that confidence often develops through connection. When young people feel part of a community, they are far more likely to believe in themselves and their future.
Welcoming Employer Action
While the national picture remains challenging, there are positive signs.
Fresh Futures welcomes this week’s announcement from Sainsbury’s that it will create approximately 10,000 work experience opportunities through its new Modern Work Experience Programme. The initiative aims to help young people build confidence, gain practical workplace experience and improve access to employment opportunities. Research associated with the programme found that meaningful engagement with employers can significantly reduce the likelihood of a young person becoming NEET.
This is exactly the kind of action that is needed.
Too often, access to work experience depends on personal networks or family connections. Initiatives that open doors to all young people, regardless of their background, are vital if we are serious about addressing youth unemployment and economic inactivity.
We hope more employers will follow Sainsbury’s lead and recognise the valuable role they can play in supporting the next generation.
A Call for Long-Term Investment
If we are to avoid a lost generation, Fresh Futures is calling for a move beyond short-term solutions.
We need sustained investment in youth services, specialist educational provision, mental health support, employability programmes and opportunities for meaningful employer engagement. We need systems that recognise the individuality of young people and support them holistically, rather than expecting them to navigate increasingly complex challenges alone.
At Fresh Futures, we remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure young people do not become NEET.
Through Brian Jackson College, our Post 16 provision and Elevate, we will continue creating environments where young people feel safe, connected and empowered to thrive.
Because every young person is more than a statistic. They deserve a future filled with opportunity.
Mark Farmer, Fresh Futures Chief Executive, says: “The stories highlighted this week should concern us all. We are seeing increasing numbers of young people facing barriers linked to mental health, neurodiversity, social isolation and a lack of opportunities. The risk is that we create a lost generation of talented young people whose potential goes unrealised. At Fresh Futures, we know that when young people are given the right environment and the right support, they thrive. That’s exactly why we’ve invested in our Post 16 provision at Brian Jackson College and programmes such as Elevate. We welcome initiatives like Sainsbury’s new work experience programme, but we also need sustained national investment in services for young people if we are serious about creating lasting change.”