This report is grounded in the voices and experiences of young people who Nacro support, offering an authentic perspective on their aspirations for the future and the challenges they and other young people like them face.
It is clear from many of the responses that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds feel unheard and unseen.
The young people we surveyed are amongst some of the most excluded in society, and the least likely to be heard by those in power. Their views and experiences reflect this. But there is also hope in what they tell us. They are confident they will find a career they love, and they know hard work and education are key to getting there but it is the responsibility of all of us to help them achieve their ambitions and to amplify their voices.
Young people should play a vital role in shaping our nation’s ambitions and future. Their energy and fresh perspectives are key to creating a better future. Whether it’s tackling the climate crisis, creating more quality jobs, improving public services, ensuring safer communities, or building a fairer society, young voices are essential. They’re the ones who’ll live with the long-term impacts of today’s decisions, which is why the views that have been shared in this report are so important.
Sadly, 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty in the UK and it is estimated that more than one in ten (12%) of all 16-to-24 year olds in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in January to March 2024. Almost 140,000 children are recorded as being homeless in England. Social disadvantage creates barriers to opportunity, and breaking down these barriers is essential to realising the ambitions and potential of young people.
Despite all this, we know from our work with young people how strong and resilient they can be. We know they are ambitious and want to achieve. And we see time and again how, against the odds, young people who have faced significant disadvantage can overcome barriers, especially with the right support in place. We heard in our research that young people understand the value and importance of hard work, and that they are often unselfish, worrying about their families and those close to them.
This is contrary to many of the messages we hear about young people, including those in the media, which too often portray young people as lazy, unprofessional or a problem to solve.
Read the full Truth About Youth report
Download your copy of The Truth About Youth: The Challenges and Aspirations of Young People and explore our Truth About Youth campaign.