Youth Work Unit Yorkshire and Humber / University of Hull · 2022
This report examines the state of youth work provision across the Yorkshire and Humber region, drawing on peer research by young people, focus groups with youth workers and strategic leads, and secondary data analysis. It finds that a decade of austerity cuts has produced sharp rises in poverty and inequality, leaving highly variable and often insufficient youth service provision across the region. The research identifies five key themes: the YWU's marginal infrastructure position, data gaps, the importance of youth voice and peer research, workforce development challenges, and the need for stronger regional collaboration. It concludes that the Yorkshire and Humber Youth Work Unit (YWU) has a pivotal but under-resourced strategic role in advocating for a consistent, sufficient youth offer for young people across the region.