Sam Kennedy: Routine difficulties that can wreck young people’s lives

I expect that this week, as the New Year unfolds, many will return to their familiar, everyday schedules – possibly reluctantly.

The benefit of a structured lifestyle should not be underestimated. The Prince’s Trust Youth Index, released this month, warns that a lack of daily routine – such as regular bedtimes and set meal times – can impact on a young person’s future prospects, harming school grades and general wellbeing.

Our new report shows that more than one in 10 young people in Yorkshire and the Humber feel their days “lacked structure and direction” while growing up, while those with lower school grades are significantly more likely to feel this way.

The Youth Index, an annual report by the Prince’s Trust, provides an insight into how young people feel about their lives across a range of areas from family life to physical health.

It shows how more than one in four young people across Yorkshire and the Humber (30 per cent) “always” or “often” feel down or depressed, while almost half (47 per cent) feel stressed all or most of the time.

The Index paints a picture of the region’s youth and highlights where we need to focus our support and energy.

Without the right support, directionless teenagers can become lost young adults – lacking confidence, under-qualified and unemployed. This is why the Prince’s Trust works hard to provide young people with support when it is lacking.

Through our work, we understand the importance of giving young people guidance and direction to learn skills and develop confidence.

Our in-school xl clubs in areas like Seacroft, Cleethorpes and Buttershaw give the hardest-to-reach young people intense, structured support – helping prevent potential drop-outs and exclusions. Schemes such as xl make a real difference to young lives, helping the hardest to reach to get their lives on track.

At this critical time of high youth unemployment, these schemes help equip young people for a tough jobs market – giving them the confidence and motivation they need to move successfully through their education and into the workplace.

Take Toni from Leeds. She was 12 when she found out her mum had cancer.  Her world fell apart and she turned to drink and drugs to block out the pain.

As her mother’s condition worsened, Toni ran away from home and was eventually taken into foster care.  Shortly after this, her mum died.

Toni would spend her days in bed, taking drugs and drinking alcohol. 

She was also getting in trouble with the police and ended up on a supervision order. 

Eventually she was recommended to join the Prince’s Trust xl club, which offers 14-to-16 year olds an alternative curriculum and one-to-one support.

The xl club gave structure to Toni’s disjointed life.  She started to put effort into her studies and even took extra classes.  As a result, just 10 months later she sat and passed 10 GCSEs.

After finishing school, Toni went to college to study construction and has since secured a job as a plasterer. 

Last year, more than three in four young people helped by the Trust moved into work, training or education.

This coming year, with support from funders and partners, we aim to help 50,000 disadvantaged young people.

This week, the Trust launches its largest ever consultation with teachers and education practitioners with the Schools Network exploring the support they need to help the hardest-to-reach pupils.

We look forward to presenting the findings of our consultation to the Government later this year.

To take part in the consultation or for more information about the Prince’s Trust Youth Index, please visit www.princes-trust.org.uk