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National youth work charity UK Youth has welcomed the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to investing in youth services.
Among the many pledges in the party’s newly published manifesto, For a Fair Deal, ahead of the general election on July 4, the LibDems have vowed to:
- Address the underfunding and neglect of children’s mental health services, youth services and youth justice services;
- Adopt a public health approach to the epidemic of youth violence which identifies and treats risk factors, rather than just focusing on the symptoms. This means police, teachers, health professionals, youth workers and social services all working closely together to prevent young people falling prey to gangs and violence;
- Invest in youth services that are genuinely engaging and reach more young people.
Jacob Diggle, UK Youth chief impact officer, said: “We welcome the LibDem manifesto commitment to increasing investment in youth services and supporting collaboration between the professionals who work with young people.
“Evidence shows youth work reduces pressure on public services in the short-term. It also shows young people who receive youth work become happier, healthier and wealthier adults compared with those who didn’t receive support. The next Government cannot afford to ignore young people and youth work.”
Election calls
Ahead of the forthcoming General Election, UK Youth is urging all political parties to:
- Deliver the long-term leadership and investment needed to unlock youth work for all young people;
- Prioritise youth workers as essential roles – alongside teachers, social workers, and therapists – for implementing effective policies for young people;
- Listen to young people by embedding youth voice into policy-making.
About UK Youth
UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org
UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch, a youth employability programme run in partnership with KFC. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes
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