Search
Future of youth sector centre of attention at national conference hosted by Coventry University and Positive Youth Foundation
Researchers from Coventry University's Centre for Global Learning joined on-stage by executive director of Positive Youth Foundation
University news / Research news
Thursday 12 December 2024
Press contact
The future success of the youth sector depends on long-term investment rather than “short-term, narrowly targeted interventions”, according to researchers from Coventry University.
A national conference to discuss how youth work needs to progress and develop in the coming years to help young people across the country was hosted by the university’s Research Centre for Global Learning and Coventry-based charity Positive Youth Foundation (PYF).
The conference welcomed guest speakers, including from BBC Children in Need, with the centrepiece being the launch of a report by the research centre into the work of PYF which works with young people ages eight to 25, particularly those who are facing challenging circumstances.
It concluded that “it is clear that PYF provides an effective, supportive environment for young people at high risk of negative outcomes” and stated that “in some ways PYF has achieved success in spite of, rather than because of, local and national government policy” and is an example of good practice in youth services.
The report’s authors “encourage government policy to consider long-term, broad-spectrum investment in youth services of this kind, rather than focusing on short-term, narrowly targeted interventions”.
There is so much essential work happening in the youth sector to support young people although the evidence base doesn’t always showcase this. The conference was a great opportunity to emphasise the power of evidence and discuss what this looks like in this context.
Dr Charlotte Price, Associate Professor at the Research Centre for Global Learning
Coventry University's research highlighted aspects of our work that we want to explore further, for example attendance patterns at our provision and the support we offer young people in areas of highest deprivation. The report also showed the value of youth organisations like PYF when they are rooted in neighbourhoods.
We have parents who used to attend the youth club and are happy for their children to now attend too - it’s a generational thing – and organisations such as ourselves cannot provide consistent support to young people and their families without financial stability. We work very hard on this and the government's plans for a national youth strategy need to take this into account. It is a critical time for young people as well as the youth sector.
Rashid Bhayat, Chief Executive of Positive Youth Foundation
The research about PYF’s work by Coventry University is a vital piece of evidence, highlighting the essential role that the organisation has in the local community in supporting children and young people. PYF’s strong local presence and history in the area means it is able to engage children and young people from a diverse range of backgrounds, helping them to realise their potential.
The mix of people at the What Next for Youth Work conference – practitioners, funders and sector bodies – reflects the respect with which PYF is viewed and the research will help to further make the case for more recognition of youth work.
Emily Swords from BBC Children in Need
Find out more about the Research Centre for Global Learning.
