This past month has been more than a return to familiar places, it has been a powerful reminder of why youth work matters, and why now, more than ever, we must come together to protect it.
To stand with them again, this time as peers, partners, and fellow leaders was deeply grounding. We share a bond forged not in boardrooms, but in community centres, conversations, and a shared belief that youth work changes lives.
However, our reunion wasn’t just about the past. It was about what we must do now.
We each represent different stages of the same journey: supported, supporter, leader, trainer. And we all know this – Youth Work Works. It builds trust, opens doors, and creates opportunities where none seemed possible. We’re living proof of that.
But across the country, youth work has been systematically underfunded and undervalued. Over £1 billion has been cut from youth services in the past decade (National Youth Agency). The effects are everywhere: rising mental health issues, school disengagement, exploitation, and pressure on statutory services.
We are now paying the price of disinvestment in prevention - and it’s young people, families, schools, and councils who are bearing the burden.
Although I was born and raised in Liverpool, I have not worked in the city for over 15 years, therefore I was humbled when the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Barbra Murray, reached out to invite me to an established partnership including The LFC Foundation, Local Authority and MYA. This group is determined to train more people across the city to become qualified Youth Workers, believing, passionately, that Youth Work Works.
I was inspired by the determination and tenacity of the Lord Mayor - one that echoes the urgency we feel on the ground and places youth work firmly on the agenda:
“There is now a desperate need to regenerate high quality youth provision to meet growing demand nationally and locally here on Merseyside. Increasingly, many children and young people have complex needs that simply cannot be addressed by schools. Therefore, it is time to invest in wraparound support and guidance.For this reason, I am aiming to raise £1 million towards Youth Works Apprenticeships during my mayoral year.” Lord Mayor Councillor Barbra Murray
This is not just a statement, it’s a challenge and an invitation. A recognition that youth work is essential infrastructure. That it needs to be funded not just as a service, but as a long-term strategy for building resilient, thriving communities.We are proud to stand alongside the Lord Mayor in that vision.
If we want thriving local economies, strong public services, and healthy communities, then investing in youth work is a smart, strategic choice not an optional extra.
Paul Hogan, through Your Edge, is already building that future by training the next generation of youth workers. Darren and Ryan are leading it on the ground. And at Positive Futures, we’re committed to being a driving force for joined-up, long-term solutions.
Young people are not just the future, they are the present. They are tomorrow’s workforce, caregivers, leaders and change-makers. They’re asking us now: “Will you invest in me before I hit crisis?”
We must answer with action.
For all of us who’ve benefitted from youth work, and for all those still waiting for that one person to believe in them, this is our moment to lead. Let’s build a future worthy of our young people – rooted in legacy, powered by relationships, and driven by collaboration.Because together, we achieve more,
Hannah Allen
Yesterday, we all had a team lunch to celebrate the birthdays of our Operations Manager Karen, and Georgia, a member of our Target Support Team 🎉🎈
(we think there must've been a spelling mistake at the cake shop 🫣)
#positivefutures
