Covid uncovers resilient generation
BMet College with Youth Forum West Midlands (YFWM) have unveiled today 19th November, a survey giving new insights into how young people across the region are affected by Covid-19.
The survey shows that 62% took the time to help others during lockdown across the West Midlands whilst battling increased levels of anxiety.
Nearly half of respondents helped their mental health (43.5%) by communicating with friends.
The emerging picture from the survey showed a generation of creative, innovative, thinkers who show enviable resilience and adaptability despite the backdrop of Covid-19. Click here to read the full report.
The West Midlands results are part of a national survey first launched in June.
Six months on from the release of the national “take the temperature” report, BMet and YFWM have delved into the report, with its authors Beatfreaks, to explore the impact of Covid on the region’s young people.
The first report looked at the national picture while this latest report unpicks further the impact across the West Midlands.
Ruth Rickman-Williams, from YFWM, said: “The reason for going back and looking at the past six months with BMet and Beatfreeks, is that it is increasingly difficult to understand how monumental Covid has been on young people.
“As we now enter another form of lockdown it’s important that we don’t lose sight of our young people.
“Covid has affected some of the key stepping stones of growing up, which – for a number of young people – are the biggest moments in their lives so far: first serious exams, first moves away from home, first jobs. The impact it has had mustn’t be underestimated.”
Overall, 85% of young people in the West Midlands said they felt more worried than they normally would be during the pandemic.
The top three issues which young people were worried about in the region are:
- people are close to them who are at risk;
- the strain the pandemic is putting on the NHS;
- and the impending economic crisis.
The results of the West Midlands’ deep dive into the survey were shared at a workshop last month to understand how the region can support its’ youth.
Suzie Branch, Business Development Director at BMet, said: “We are now working with regional employers to look at this data and findings and see how we can support young people to continue their education and achieve their career aspirations.
“The survey shows that we’ve a young generation of creative, innovative, thinkers who show enviable resilience and adaptability: all skills and attributes we as employers are looking for, so we need to support young people to translate this in the work place.”