Hampshire youth group hopes new government youth-plan will focus on local needs
The SoCo Music Project say the project is encouraging, but they hope it'll meet the changing needs of young people
A Hampshire youth group says they hope the government will be considering local needs as they announce a 10-year youth plan.
It aims to provide 500,000 more young people across England to have access to a trusted adult outside of their home, and £500 million investment to help revive youth services.
Matt Salvage, Chief Executive of SOCO Music Project says it's encouraging, but it needs to be supporting the ever-changing needs of local young people.
He said: "It's encouraging to hear about anything that's got a long-term element to it for young people.
"I think we've spent quite a long time in this country facing a series of cuts to youth services and some quite reactive bits of funding and support like necessary youth provision.
"But I think what's been really needed is a bit more long-term planning.
"It really depends on how well they are responding to local need.
"I think that's really important.
"Every different part of the country has different needs, but there's certainly something there around a consistent, reliable offer for young people that is really important."
Sir Keir Starmer said improving prospects for young people is "our generation's greatest responsibility" as the government launches the new plan.
Through the strategy, the Government is pledging to:
- Launch a network of 50 "young futures" hubs by March 2029 as part of a £70 million programme to provide access to youth workers and other professionals.
- Support organisations in "underserved" areas to deliver high-quality youth work and activities through a "richer young lives" fund worth around £60 million.
- Improve young people's wellbeing, personal development and "life skills" through a new £22.5 million programme of support around the school day in up to 400 schools.
- Recruit and train youth workers, volunteers and other "trusted adults" with £15 million of investment.
- Improve youth services through £5 million to strengthen local partnerships, information-sharing and digital infrastructure.
The Government says they hope the plans will protect young people from "isolation online" in favour of "connection and in real life connections".