A new Youth Charter will reaffirm Government’s commitment to give young people a strong voice on the issues they care about such as combating knife crime, addressing mental health challenges and concerns about the environment.
The government announced that the Youth Charter will set out a vision for young people over the next generation and beyond, Mims Davies, Minister for Sport and Civil Society announced in April. It will be developed over the coming months, with Government working alongside youth sector organisations and young people.
The concept follows a roundtable the Minister and Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, had with the youth sector, sports bodies, charities and creative organisations last week as part of the Prime Minister’s Serious Youth Violence Summit to tackle knife crime.
Nadhim Zahawi, Children and Families Minister, said: “Every young person, whatever their background or the challenges they face, should have the chance to shape their own futures.
“We’re working together to raise the bar in the opportunities available to the next generation and help improve their outcomes. The Youth Charter reaffirms young people’s place at the heart of policy, making sure their voices are heard on important issues that affect them, from decisions about the environment, the schools they attend, support for mental health, or how we tackle serious violence.”
The charter will build on the existing support and range of innovative projects currently supporting young people across the country. This includes £90 million from dormant bank accounts that is being used to help some of the most disadvantaged young people into employment.
The Government is also investing £80 million from Government and the National Lottery Community Fund in the Youth Investment and #iwill funds, and will work with a range of leading national youth organisations. It is hoped this will help address the recent decline in the number of people taking up youth work training and give youth workers the skills they need to best support young people.
The Sea Cadets, RAF Air Cadets and Army Cadet Force all provide full training for volunteers who want to help young people reach their full potential.