The Story Vol 16

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WELCOME TO THE STORY To be notified about new issues or subscribe for printed copies visit www.youthscape.co.uk/research/ the-story In each issue of The Story we bring you some of the latest research related to young people and youth work. We look for statistics, research and trends which can shape your work with young people – informing your thinking and practice. IN THIS ISSUE: NEW RESEARCH The Aspiration Gap P.3 After many months, we know this pandemic has taken a huge toll. New research from The Prince’s Trust highlights how important it is to hold hope for young people who feel their future is being robbed (page 3). As we enter a second lockdown, Phoebe Hill and Andy Root have been wrestling with the theological implications of online youth work and we’ve shared some of the highlights of their conversation on pages 4-5. It also feels very timely to be sharing insights from research by Len Kageler and colleagues, on avoiding or managing burnout if you are a youth worker (pages 6-7). Finally, our poster begins to explore some of the key concepts helping us reflect on racism and learn more about how to be anti-racist in our youth work. Thank you to all those whose efforts are making this learning possible. Lucie Shuker Director of Research, Youthscape NEW IDEAS Thinking theologically about youth work in a pandemic: a conversation with Andy Root NEW RESEARCH Burnout among Christian Youth Workers in the US and UK YOUTH WORK DIAGRAMS How to Hygge AN INTRODUCTION TO… SYSTEMIC RACISM Research News P.4–5 P.6–7 P.8 REVERSE New on the blog: You’ll find a range of articles at www.youthscape.co.uk/ research/news including all the results from our weekly 3x3 lockdown surveys, and reflections on youth work, research and theology. Coming soon: We’ve now finished a new report on Theological Reflection in youth work, which we hope to launch very soon. Thanks to all those who took part in our survey! P.2
NEW RESEARCH The Aspiration Gap In the first two weeks of September 2020 The Prince’s Trust surveyed 2000 16-25 yearolds, of whom 625 were ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’ (NEET) or had received free school meals during school (described as ‘those from poorer homes’ in the report). 1 The findings suggest that for older youth, there were significant feelings of hopelessness as they re-entered education, and that these were more keenly felt among those from poorer backgrounds or who were NEET. 44% said their aspirations for the future are now lower as a result of the pandemic. More than a third (36%) believed they will have a “lower quality of life” than their parents, while 46% claimed their generation will have fewer opportunities. 41% believed their future goals now seem “impossible to achieve” (50% of those from poorer backgrounds). 38% felt they will “never succeed in life” (48% of those from poorer homes). More than one in three (36%) said they have “lost hope” for the future. 55% said the pandemic had made them fearful for their future, and 46% said thinking about their future made them feel “hopeless”. Of the 861 young people surveyed who were in school, college or university: 41% worried the education they’ve missed will set them back for the rest of their life (50% of those from poorer backgrounds). More than a third (39%) felt that their education has now “gone to waste” (rising to 47% of those from poorer backgrounds). 41% worried that other young people have had tutors or more help than them (47% among those from poorer homes). More than half (54%) say they feel pressure to work “even harder” because of the school they’ve missed. Statistics like these can be challenging to read, but there are lots of people making a real difference. Here’s Becky Harding, Lead Coach on the Spear Programme. On the Spear Programme we are passionate about equipping and empowering young people into work or further training in order to succeed in their career. We work with unemployed 16-24-year-olds across the UK, who often come from more disadvantaged backgrounds. Katy 2 came to our first Spear Brighton online programme in August. She was suffering with poor mental health and addiction and was unemployed. Katy completed the programme and at the celebration event said, “The Spear Programme has taught me that we are always going to have obstacles in our life – but we can always get through them. It’s not about where we come from, but where we go from there’’. Katy is now at college in London studying Fashion Retail and is actively seeking part-time work. The youth unemployment statistics are stark, overwhelming and sometimes frustrating, especially in the wake of the pandemic, but young people are resilient and determined. In the midst of such uncertainty, there is hope to be found. 1. Responses were weighted to be representative of all 16 to 25 year-olds in the UK, but no further information was available about how this was achieved. 2. Not her real name. P.3
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