Kimberley Harmer works as a Senior Caseworker for Charlie Dewhirst, Member of Parliament for Bridlington & The Wolds. She serves as DC Fundraising for Bridlington & The Wolds Conservative Association and Humber & Yorkshire CPF Regional Ambassador.
Inequality remains an entrenched issue across many UK communities, particularly in coastal towns like Bridlington, East Yorkshire, where cycles of deprivation often persist across generations.
Despite Bridlington’s fishing industry, known as Europe’s lobster and crustacean capital, significant socioeconomic challenges endure. While local assets offer economic opportunities, long-term deprivation and limited youth support continue to hinder community development. Addressing these disparities requires a holistic approach that equips youth with emotional literacy, life skills, and practical opportunities. This support structure not only empowers individuals but also strengthens coastal towns, helping them break free from cycles of disadvantage and fostering social mobility.
Youth Work as a Pillar for Equality and Community Building
Youth work is crucial in addressing inequalities. The National Youth Agency (NYA) describes youth work as“promoting young people’s personal and social development through non-formal educational activities that combine enjoyment, challenge, and learning.” This asset-based approach fosters resilience, social competence, and essential life skills. While schools provide structured, curriculum-based learning, youth work builds emotional and practical skills, critical for personal growth and economic contribution.
Emotional Literacy: Building Resilience for Life
Central to youth works contribution is emotional literacy. Young people who understand and manage their emotions are better equipped to handle challenges, build healthy relationships, and succeed in both personal and professional spheres. Emotional literacy fosters resilience, empathy, and problem-solving skills, all of which support healthy decision-making and community engagement. Organisations like Fuse Youth Services promote emotional literacy through trauma-informed practices, creating safe spaces where young people learn to express, regulate, and channel their emotions constructively. This approach is especially valuable in Bridlington, where adverse childhood experiences are common due to socioeconomic challenges.
Bridging Practical Skills Gaps and Supporting Economic Growth
Equipping young people with practical life skills is equally vital. Many lack basic knowledge in essential areas like opening a bank account, budgeting, preparing meals, and navigating job applications. Youth services bridge these gaps by teaching skills necessary for independence and confidence, both of which are critical for long-term success. It is also essential to focus on equipping youth with career-oriented skills, such as STEM education, entrepreneurship, and vocational training. Learning how to start a business or pursue a technical career enables young people to escape cycles of dependency and actively contribute to local economic growth.
Many young people struggle to transition into adulthood, feeling unprepared for the responsibilities of work and personal management.
Studies indicate that even adults often feel ill-equipped to manage life’s challenges, highlighting a systemic issue that youth work addresses by instilling essential life skills and emotional resilience. The gap between academic learning and practical adult responsibilities can leave young people feeling lost, contributing to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. With over 85 per cent of young people’s waking hours spent outside formal education, youth work offers invaluable opportunities to develop social skills, build trust, and engage positively within communities. Research shows that young people involved in structured activities outside school are more likely to make positive choices, develop empathy, and feel empowered. For those in deprived areas, these opportunities are critical, providing a path out of poverty and promoting resilience.
Rising Operational Costs for Charities
Recent financial pressures have underscored the need for sustainable funding for youth organisations. The budget announced on 30th October 2024 introduced new financial challenges for youth and family services, including Fuse Youth Services and The Hinge Centre in Bridlington. While increased minimum wages aim to support low-income workers, they also place added strain on organisations already operating with limited resources. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) estimates that rising National Insurance contributions (NICs) will add an average of £26,000 in annual costs per charity, translating to about £800 per employee by April 2025. This increased burden, along with diminishing charitable funding streams, forces youth services to rely heavily on private donations, a precarious position as operational costs rise.
For organisations like Fuse, which deliver essential services with limited resources, increased costs may lead to reduced staffing and fewer programmes. Without sustainable funding, these cuts could limit support for vulnerable young people, stifling their potential and impeding community development.
The Essential Role of Funding for Youth Services
Current financial pressures on youth services underscore the need for ongoing investment. Budget constraints have pushed organisations to reduce their offerings, threatening access to essential programmes. Cuts to youth services are especially concerning given their long-term impact on young people’s well-being. Post-pandemic data shows a rise in mental health challenges, with 18 per cent of children aged 7–16 and 22 per cent of young people aged 17–24 facing probable mental health disorders. Schools, often overwhelmed, depend on youth services for additional support, yet inadequate funding may prevent these organisations from meeting growing needs.
Addressing inequality requires recognising youth work’s foundational role in community development. When adequately supported, youth work improves school engagement, strengthens mental health, and equips young people with essential life skills. For disadvantaged youth, these programmes represent a critical opportunity to escape cycles of poverty and build fulfilling lives. Without sustained investment, young people in communities like Bridlington risk being left behind, perpetuating deprivation and limiting opportunities for social and economic mobility.
The Long-term Value of Investing in Youth Services
Investing in youth work, emotional literacy, and life skills brings substantial benefits. By equipping young people with essential competencies, we empower a generation capable of enriching their communities’ economic and social fabric. This investment supports healthier families, more resilient communities, and a stronger local economy. For towns like Bridlington, maximising opportunities in industries like fishing and tourism requires cultivating a skilled, emotionally resilient workforce, which is key to sustainable growth.
Building resilient communities requires a commitment to youth work, ensuring that young people have the emotional intelligence, skills, and opportunities to thrive. Collaborating with local government, community organisations, and schools can create environments where young people grow up healthy, happy, and prepared to contribute to a prosperous society. Sustainable funding and supportive policies are essential to enabling youth services to continue their vital work, shaping a brighter and more equitable future for communities across the UK.
By empowering young people and supporting them outside of traditional education systems, we can help break cycles of poverty, nurture social mobility, and foster a sense of community resilience. Youth work not only serves to meet the immediate needs of young people but also builds the foundation for a more inclusive society where every young person has the tools and confidence to succeed. This, in turn, supports healthier families, stimulates local economies, and strengthens the social fabric, making our communities better places to live, grow, and thrive.
In the face of current financial pressures, it is critical that we prioritise youth services as an investment in the future. Supporting these organisations ensures they can continue delivering essential services that reach those in need, empower young people to make positive life choices, and ultimately contribute to a fairer, more prosperous society.
