With the General Election finally here, YMCA Newcastle is calling on local candidates to get behind a national YMCA manifesto focused
on ensuring that all young people have the opportunity to live their best lives.
YMCA Newcastle, which supported 3,295 young people throughout Newcastle last year, has combined its knowledge with other YMCAs from across the country to create a national manifesto, outlining key recommendations to help improve the lives of young people and their communities.
On top of restricted housing opportunities and financial uncertainty, young people are growing up during a period where youth crime, mental health difficulties and loneliness are at an all-time high, making prospects seem hopeless. With political support locally and nationally, we can change these prospects to create a brighter future – a new era for young people.
Calling for the fundamental basics of what all young people deserve, recommendations in the manifesto include access to quality youth services, meaningful careers, financial stability, secure housing, holistic wellbeing support and the opportunity to be an integral part of their community.
Jeff Hurst, Chief Executive of YMCA Newcastle, said:
“Having championed the needs of young people in our community for 170 years, we know first-hand what they are going through and what the next government must do in order to help them live their best lives.
“We’re launching this manifesto because now more than ever, we need a government that will deliver for our young people, so we’re calling on local candidates to put YMCA’s recommendations and the interests of the next generation at the centre of their policies.
