This Youth Employment Week, we’re celebrating the young people behind the statistics.
The conversation around youth employment is often dominated by numbers.
More than one million young people across the UK are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), and the Milburn Review warns that too many are slipping through the cracks before they receive the support they need. It estimates the cost of youth economic inactivity at £125 billion a year, highlighting the urgent need for earlier support and more opportunities for young people.
But behind every statistic is a person.
A young person with dreams, talents and aspirations. Someone whose story deserves to be heard.
At Inspire, we’ve always believed that’s where the real story begins.
Long before the Milburn Review made national headlines, we were supporting young people across Suffolk to build confidence, discover their strengths and take their next steps towards work, education and brighter futures.
The review hasn’t changed our direction. It has reinforced what our Youth Employment team has known for years:
Young people don’t lack ambition. They need someone to believe in them, and the right support at the right time.
In recent months, 407 young people have walked through our doors.
Every one of them brought a different story.
Some came to us knowing exactly what they wanted to do.
Others weren’t sure where to begin.
Every one of them deserved the opportunity to move forward.
Take Liam.
When he first came to Inspire, he had disengaged from support and struggled to see what his future could look like. Today, he’s volunteering, exploring opportunities in sports coaching and, perhaps most importantly, has rediscovered his confidence. Along the way, he even found himself encouraging another young person who was feeling anxious, proving just how quickly support can become confidence, and confidence can inspire someone else.
Courtney’s journey looks completely different. After experiencing life-changing mobility challenges, she was determined not to let them define her future. She’s now volunteering five days a week, building her independence and working towards a career helping others.
Harry came to us with a clear goal: to work in hospitality. With support to strengthen his CV, prepare for interviews and build his confidence, he’s now thriving in a role with PGL.
Three young people.
Three completely different journeys.
One thing in common.
Someone believed in them before they believed in themselves.
Already, that support has helped achieve:
- 407 young people engaged with Inspire
- 106 positive outcomes
- 101 young people achieving those outcomes
- 95 young people moving into paid employment
- 28 young people securing work in the career they wanted
- Opportunities across 21 different industries
Those numbers matter.
But the people behind them matter even more.
Throughout Youth Employment Week, we’ll be sharing more of their stories, celebrating their achievements and introducing the dedicated coaches who help make those journeys possible.
Because behind every statistic is a young person with potential.
And every young person deserves the chance to fulfil theirs.
Ready to take your next step?
Whether you’re looking for your first job, exploring your options, returning to education or simply aren’t sure where to start, our Youth Employment team is here to help.
We’ll work alongside you to build confidence, develop new skills and find the opportunities that are right for you, because no two journeys are the same.
Find out more about our Youth Employment support and how we can help you take your next step:
Plan your next step
Are you an employer?
If you’d like to help create opportunities for young people across Suffolk, we’d love to hear from you. By offering work experience, apprenticeships or employment opportunities, you could help change a young person’s future.
Find out how you can work with Inspire:
Get Involved
