Over the last two years, as the national body for youth work, NYA has been resolute in building cross-party support for investment in youth work and support for young people.
Leigh Middleton, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Agency said:
“At a time of political turmoil NYA has worked hard to build a consensus and secure commitments to greater investment in youth services, with an emphasis on qualified youth workers and trained volunteers as well as new and refurbished youth centres. This has led directly to: a major national inquiry and debate in Parliament; the Liberal Democrat’s affirmation of a statutory youth service and ring-fenced funding through local authorities; the underpinning of Labour’s policy for a revitalised universal offer and national youth service; as well the Government’s review of the statutory guidance and bursaries for student youth workers, opening up career pathways. Through the collective efforts of the youth sector this has informed also the government spending review and new youth investment fund.
This is just the start of rebuilding youth work, so sorely missed in many communities up and down the country. Therefore NYA is bringing together youth sector leaders for a Youth Work Summit on 29 October, as a focal point for our shared endeavours. And we will launch a national campaign to celebrate Youth Work In Action, to run across constituencies in Youth Work Week, 4th to 10th November; Supporting young in their communities, and ambitious for the future.”