Stats

• There are 783,000 young people (aged 16 to 24 years) in the UK who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).^[1]
• Young adults are more likely to feel lonely than older age groups, says a study from the Office for National Statistics.
• The research found that almost 10% of people aged 16 to 24 were “always or often” lonely – the highest proportion of any age group.^[2]
• The proportion of young people reporting that they find it difficult to get by financially decreased to 7% in the period 2014 to 2015 from 15% in 2009 to 2010 but the proportion of young people living in households at risk of poverty increased from 19% in 2008 to 25% in 2015.
• The proportion of young people reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression increased from 18% in the period 2009 to 2010 to 21% in 2013 to 2014; young women were more likely than young men to report symptoms of anxiety or depression.
• On social connections, the proportion of young people who said they had someone to rely a lot on, decreased from 80% in the period 2010 to 2011 to 76% in 2013 to 2014 but the proportion of young people who agreed or strongly agreed that they belong to their neighbourhood, increased from 50% in 2009 to 2010 to 57% in 2014 to 2015.^[3]
• 10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.^[4]
• Children with special educational needs (SEN) are twice as likely as other children to be bullied regularly. (IoE 2014).^[5]
• A poll of 1,000 18-25-year-olds found money, appearance and career worries as well as fears about the future mean a large chunk of their time is spent feeling anxious or under pressure.
• But one in 10 feel they have no-one to turn to discuss their concerns, leaving them to face their fears alone.^[6]
• It is thought that around 13% of young people may try to hurt themselves on purpose at some point between the ages of 11 and 16, but the actual figure could be much higher.
• In 2014, figures were published suggesting a 70% increase in 10-14 year olds attending A&E for self-harm related reasons over the preceding 2 years.^[7]

^[1]Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK: August 2018
^[2]BBC – Loneliness more likely to affect young people
^[3]Young people’s well-being: 2017
^[4]Mental health statistics: children and young people
^[5]Learning disabilities explained – research and statistics, Mencap
^[6]Young adultsspend more than six hours a day “stressed out”, The Independent
^[7]Self-harm statistics, SelfharmUK

Organisations

UK Young Artistsis a registered charity that champions the next generation of creativity, supporting collaboration and intercultural dialogue, ensuring a vibrant and diverse creative future for the UK.

BFI Film Academyis open to young people from anywhere in the UK and from any background, and offers a real chance for talented 16-19-year-olds to be part of our future film industry.

Into Filmsupports teachers and educators to achieve a wide range of effective learning outcomes in their use of film. Their programme includes a network of extra-curricular film clubs, resources for use in clubs and in the classroom, training opportunities, a cinema-based film festival and annual Awards.

UK Youthis a leading national charity, committed to providing access to appropriate, high quality services in every community so that young people are empowered to build bright futures, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Young Enterprise supports young people to develop the employability skills that employers demand, by delivering enterprise and financial education programmes in schools, colleges and universities.

Association for Young People’s Health(AYPH) is the UK’s leading independent voice for youth health.  They work to improve the health and wellbeing of 10-24 year olds.

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.

National Youth Agencychampion, professionalise and enable youth work, striving to find better, more inventive ways to empower more young people.

The Prince’s Trustis a youth charity that helps young people aged 11 to 30 get into jobs, education and training.

Centrepointhelps vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently.

MAC-UKis a mental health charity for excluded young people, taking what works in the clinic to the streets.

Groundwork  Youth is a platform supporting 16 – 24 year olds to take action in their local environment. They do this by providing opportunities and experiences that develop leadership potential and connect youth with like-minded people who also want to make a difference in their communities.

And they have a list of 14 organisations championing youth work and supporting young people

Stats

‘Neurodiversity’ is a term meaning people have different brain types. The term neurodivergent can be used by people who have neurological condition such as, but not limted to: autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and discalculia. It is also common for  neurodivergent conditions to be co-occuring (a person can have two or more conditions).

Autism is a  ‘spectrum’ condition, with a wide range of characteristics, but which nevertheless share some common features in terms of how people learn and process information.

• Without understanding, autistic people and families are at risk of being isolated and developing mental health problems.
• Autism is much more common than many people think. It is currently estimated there are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK – that’s more than 1 in 100¹. If you include their families, autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.
• Autism doesn’t just affect children. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults.
• Autism is a hidden disability – you can’t always tell if someone is autistic.
• Autism is not something which can be cured, but the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people’s lives.
• According to a survey in 2021, Less than half of autistic children are happy in school. [2]
• Three quarters of parents and carers (74%) said their child’s school place did not fully meet their needs. [2]
• There are over 160,000 autistic pupils in schools across England.* Over 70% are in mainstream school, with the rest in specialist education, home educated or out of education altogether. [2]
• Government figures show that autistic children are twice as likely to be excluded from school either for a fixed period or permanently as pupils with no special educational needs. [2]
• Seven in 10 autistic children say that the biggest thing that would make school better is having a teacher who understands autism. [2]
• 70% of autistic young people have mental health problems, compared to 13% of their non-autistic peers [3]
• Autistic people are four times more likely to experience loneliness and social isolation.[3]
•  Only 16% of autistic adults in the UK are in full-time paid work [7]
• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data in 2020 that shows just 22% of autistic adults are in any kind of employment [4]
• Autistic spectrum conditions are not classed as a learning disability in themselves, however, approximately 20-30% of people with a learning disability also have autism and people with autism are more likely to experience mental health problems. [6]
• Around 70% of autistic people have at least one physical or mental health issue, including anxiety disorders, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but these are often unrecognised. [6]

^[1] What is Autism, National Autistic Society

[2] School Report 2021, National Autistic Society

[3] World Autism Acceptance Week, 2023, National Autistic Society

[4] New Data on the Autism Employment Gap, National Autistic Society

[5] The Autism Act, 10 years on, National Autistic Society

[6] People with a Learning disability, autism or both, NHS England

[7] The Autism Employment Gap, National Autistic Society

Organisations

Autism in Mind support individuals who are both newly diagnosed with autism or diagnosed during childhood but have been unable to access support or services during their adult lives.

Autism Independent UK helps to increase awareness of autism to the notice of all, together with well established and newly developed approaches in the diagnosis, assessment, education and treatment.

Dimensions supports people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs out of institutions, helping them lead ordinary lives in their local communities.

National Autistic Society is the leading UK charity for autistic people (including those with Asperger syndrome) and their families.

Contact support families with the best possible guidance and information, bringing families together to support each other, and helping them to campaign, volunteer and fundraise to improve life for themselves and others.