麻豆国产

, the Government's National Youth Strategy, prioritises putting the voices and experiences of young people at the heart of developing policy. It also sets out ambitious plans to ensure young people have access to enriching opportunities in and out of education.

Hear from two members of our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) about what this might mean for them.

Rabia: How insight builds initiative

Enrichment opportunities in tandem with high-quality careers education during school guarantees confidence in the workplace as it builds a sense of certainty within students and instils the mindset of 鈥淚 can do this鈥�.

I saw the power in tailored careers education when my school took a group students with SEND to a workplace experience at Wild Discovery, an interactive zoo This immersive experience led each and every student to feel empowered and confident that they had something to refer to during interviews. This came from not just the experience alone, but the confidence and real-world connections it fostered.

Enrichment can and should be the same. For me, the memory that jumps out at me is our 鈥榮ubject immersion festivals鈥� at school, which gave us an insight into the outside world. I saw some of my peers鈥� eyes light up immediately when they discovered their passion and the potential in future pathways.

I recently had the honour of representing young girls nationally to the Minister for Skills and Equality and in Parliament. I highlighted the voices of those hidden in small, unknown postcodes to make them heard and conveyed to the Minister,the difficulties faced by people who see limited opportunity simply because of their location.

Being a member of the YAG has instilled a unique loyalty and responsibility within me to represent peers facing different challenges. The work we do in leading strategic improvements across the careers system has further inspired me. I feel it is my greatest honour to advocate for the successes of the next generation and build a supportive environment within youth policy.

Working in partnership with my peers, and discussing our views is undoubtedly a form of enrichment, one I wish was a universal experience for all young people. Allowing young people to explore their talents, and develop the skills , has to be underpinned by confidence and a connection to the communities they are part of.

Looking back, I can see that聽insight builds initiative. Where young people lack the tools to take their next desired step, adults should step up and aid them. Only when we bridge that gap, will we build a generation of prosperous, fulfilled individuals created not by their insecurities, but by the empowerment of adults and their community.

Bea:聽My lived experience

As a young person with SEND, I never found enrichment opportunities to be accessible. I was in secondary school when Covid-19 happened, and shortly after, my mental health deteriorated to the point聽where I could not attend school. Even when local opportunities were available, I felt I could not take advantage of them.

In terms of access to careers education, I almost got work experience once, but since everything had to go through school and I wasn鈥檛 attending, I missed out on the support I needed. This was quite a difficult barrier for me to overcome. The young people who need these opportunities the most are typically the ones who are not fully engaged in school. Looking back, having access to community spaces or 鈥渢hird spaces鈥� outside of school would have been crucial for me.聽When I was stuck at home, I needed a safe place to rebuild my confidence, make friends, and feel connected again, but there were none.

Fortunately, I returned to education through Alternative Provision, completed my GCSEs, and moved into sixth form, and the main focus was understandably on getting me through it all. I appreciate that support, however, that meant that access to careers education, and extra curricular activities, to develop skills, ambitions and confidence,weren鈥檛 prioritised. It sometimes felt like the expectations were lower for students like me, and certain paths, like higher education, weren鈥檛 really encouraged. A lot of enrichment opportunities felt out of reach.

Joining my local Youth Council changed everything for me. I transformed from a miserable, isolated Year 10 student to someone who could speak up, advocate for myself, and take pride in my voice. Being involved in improving SEND provision gave me direction and hope. I know how easy it is, especially when struggling with attendance or mental health, to start believing you have no future. Enrichment both inside and outside the classroom can help prove that wrong. Being part of the CEC鈥檚 Youth Advisory Group showed me that advocacy and politics could actually be a career. Visiting Parliament and meeting the Minister for Skills made it feel real. Enrichment didn鈥檛 just provide opportunities; it helped me believe in myself and my future.

Reengaging young people requires a tailored and holistic support offer that makes young people feel comfortable in engaging with their peers and education. A whole school approach to enrichment, alongside opportunities outside of school, would make education more accessible for all.