Transitions UK – supporting development and growth

Transitions UK is a new Charity, established in October 2014 and working initially across Herts, Beds and Bucks and North London. We are concerned for what has been called a “lost generation” of young people in our country and we are determined to make an impact in the way that we address the pressing needs among 15-25 year olds in England and Wales. Inevitably, we will have to start small: the plan is to grow in numbers and in geographical coverage and meet the needs of thousands of young people every year.

 

1 in 5 young people in the UK are unemployed (four times the general rate); the single largest killer of young men in this age group is suicide; we have the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe; young people are losing hope for the future and giving up on a career; housing prices and low wages for young people mean many have little prospect of their own place. Depression and disengagement (dropping out) are all too common. Young people who have experienced difficult or dysfunctional home and family life are especially at risk.

 

There are some key need groups in this area: young people with special needs and disabilities are many times more likely to be denied work or volunteering and struggle with poverty, isolation and depression; young people with emotional and mental health needs lack positive role models and the support and encouragement they need to move forward; young people who have been excluded from school get into more negative patterns of behaviour and relationships and they are much more likely to move onto to offending, substance abuse etc.

 

Transitions UK wants to help these and other young people to make a positive and effective transition to a better life. We believe that good, positive, supportive relationships are key to helping that happen – together with a social and personal development tool-kit to help young people build their own future. We are determined to help provide that opportunity for those most in need who nevertheless want to move forward in their lives.

 

We hope you can help us to achieve something really significant for these young people – and something that will transform the rest of their lives. Please contact us if you want to work, partner or volunteer with us or if you want to fundraise or donate to help