ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½

What kind of future do we want for young people in Wales, and how do we help them get there? In this piece, to celebrate Youth Work Week in Wales, Dr Darrel Williams, Senior Lecturer of The ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½â€™s (UWTSD) Youth and Community Work programmes, brings a thoughtful and passionate perspective shaped by years of working alongside young people. It’s a reminder that youth work isn’t just about programmes or policies—it’s about belief in potential, creating space for growth, and equipping the next generation with the tools they need to face whatever comes next.

As a professionally qualified Youth and Community Worker, I recognise that the primary purpose of Youth Work is to support the holistic development of young people, fostering their personal, social, and educational growth. Today’s young people face a complex array of challenges, ranging from pressures in education and the workplace, to navigating relationships, health concerns, and global issues such as climate change and economic instability. These challenges raise important questions for Youth Workers, particularly around our vision for young people both now and in the future. Specifically, we must ask: what skills, knowledge, and personal qualities should we help young people develop to enable them to thrive?

While the principles of Youth Work are well established, it is vital to ground our vision in a clear understanding of the realities facing young people in Wales. Recent data paints a vivid picture:

•  The proportion of young people not in education, training, or employment (NEET) in Wales rises sharply with age, from just 3% among 16-year-olds to over 20% among 24-year-olds.
•  Young people are disproportionately represented in sectors such as distribution, hotels, and catering, which can be more vulnerable to economic shifts.
•  In 2022–23, 83,218 young people (15% of all 11–25 year olds) were registered members of Youth Work provision in Wales.
• Youth Work participation decreases with age: 42% of registered members are aged 11–13, with the lowest engagement among 20–25 year olds.
• Emotional health issues are widespread, with over half of girls (54%) and about a third of boys (32%) reporting frequent experiences of low mood, irritability, nervousness, or trouble sleeping.
•  One in five school-aged children are entitled to free school meals, a key indicator of child poverty.
•  The Well-being of Wales report highlights that children and young people have struggled more than adults since the pandemic, with declining life satisfaction and increased economic pressures, including the cost-of-living crisis and fuel poverty.

Given these realities, the Youth Work and Social Education programme team at UWTSD has collaborated to identify the qualities and skills young people need to live well, both now and in the future. Our vision is for young people aged 11–25 to be resilient and adaptable, able to navigate life’s challenges with confidence, optimism, and a strong sense of purpose.

Young people must be ambitious for their futures, not comparing themselves with others, but working out what success looks like for them. We should equip them to understand the real-world consequences of their decisions, and to develop critical thinking skills that enable them to question assumptions, evaluate information, and form their own values. In a world saturated with information and misinformation, these skills are more important than ever.

Moreover, young people should be empowered to make choices that enhance their happiness, health, and overall well-being. They should feel connected to their communities, enjoy a genuine sense of life satisfaction, and be prepared to contribute positively to society. By fostering supportive environments that nurture these qualities, Youth Workers can help young people thrive, equipped to face uncertainty, create positive change, and lead fulfilling lives rooted in knowledge, empathy, and self-awareness.

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476