A Difficult Farewell to over a Decade of Life-Changing Skills Support

We normally like to share positive stories - stories about the opportunities we create for young people or the lives we have changed - but today, we need to share some difficult news and we want to do so with the care and honesty it deserves.

For more than a decade, Young Devon has been providing courses for young people to help them gain qualifications and skills. Many of these young people left their school years with little to help them take the next step, so that’s exactly what our wonderful tutors and support workers gave them. They gave them purpose, hope and an opportunity to grow. 

We provided Math’s, English and life skills for young people who didn’t feel they had anywhere else left to go. In doing so, we helped them get ready for college, work, and life. 91% of the young people we supported moved on to vocational courses at college or employment, others into volunteering.

“More than 95% of the young people we helped moved on to vocational courses, employment or volunteering.”

With a heavy heart, we have to let you know that this work will be stopping for now. We have been unable to secure funding from September onwards.

The irony of this announcement coming so soon after the Milburn Review (the government's own independent inquiry into the million young people currently not in education, employment or training) is not lost on us. We know the need is greater than ever. We have waiting lists of young people who tell us they have tried every other option and that our support is their best chance to get unstuck.

We won’t pretend this announcement doesn’t come with a lot of emotion, frustration and sadness are definitely among them - but this situation comes without any blame. Funding is hard to find, and many of our partners have done everything they can to support us.

 This does not mean we are stepping back from our commitment to helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed, far from it. Our homelessness support, victims of crime services, and wellbeing provision continue in full across the region.

“This is not a moment we take lightly. For over a decade, this work has been a lifeline for hundreds of young people who felt they’d exhausted all their options.

Our tutors and support workers refused to accept that, more than 90% of those young people moved on to college or work, and that speaks for itself.

We will continue to fight for ways to support young people to develop the skills the need to succeed.”

Andy Moreman

Chief Executive, Young Devon

 So, while this is a hard position to be in, we want to take a moment to celebrate the hundreds of young people who have achieved and grown with us over the last decade and more. Their resilience and determination, often in the face of real hardship, is something to be genuinely proud of.

We especially want to thank our incredible staff team. Without their creativity, dedication and unwavering commitment, none of this would have been possible. They deserve to know how much of a difference they made.

 For further information, interviews, or to discuss how you can support the return of this vital work, please contact Meabh Mulholland on 01752 749731, email meabh.mulholland@youngdevon.org or visit www.youngdevon.org