Good Work for Young People’s Mental Health works with young people experiencing mental health problems to remove some of the barriers they face and support them to secure meaningful employment opportunities.
Young people who are not in education, employment or training are more likely to experience worse mental health than those who are. This puts them at risk of living in poor health over the course of their lifetimes and of living in long-term in poverty. Mental health problems amongst young people are at record levels, and there are estimated to be one million young people not in education, employment or training. Disproportionately, these young people live in the country’s most disadvantaged places.
Our analysis of data published by the government in March 2025 shows that young people aged 16-34 with mental health conditions are almost five times more likely to be economically inactive than young people without.
Nearly one in four people out of work due to ill health are under 35.
About Good Work for Young People’s Mental Health
Every young person deserves a good start in life, no matter who they are or where they are from. We have launched a pioneering approach aiming to break the cycle of poor mental health and unemployment for young people. Three trusted, expert mental health charities will work to remove barriers young people face and support them to secure meaningful employment opportunities.
Specialist employment support (known as Individual Placement and Support) has proven to be effective in supporting people with severe mental health difficulties into employment. People’s Health Trust will work with the local mental health charities to determine whether it is also an effective approach for young people aged 16 – 24 with acute, mild to moderate mental health problems – making this a ground-breaking approach.
We have secured support for a major evaluation of this intervention from the world-leading National Institute for Health and Care Research School for Public Health Research (NIHR SPHR), the world-leading research school building the evidence base for equitable, inclusive and cost-effective public health practice. Evidence gathered through this programme and evaluation will be shared with policy makers at a local and national level, for whom there is huge interest in solutions to breaking the cycle of mental health problems and unemployment among young people.
We have been hearing for many years from young people seeking support for their mental health, that they really want to find good places to work where they can build their skills and a secure future, so we are delighted that the model will allow young adults to have a voice and shape what will work the best for them and for employers.”
Simone Spray
Chief Executive, 42nd Street
Funding through Good Work for Young People’s Mental Health
We are funding three projects in Norwich, Greater Manchester and Southampton, working with young people aged 16-24 experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems and barriers to employment:
- 42nd Street -Supports young people aged 16-24 in Greater Manchester (mainly from Manchester, Salford and Tameside).
- Mancroft Advice Project (MAP) - Supports young people aged 16-24 in Norwich.
- No Limits -Supports young people aged 16 -24 years in Southampton.
A shortlist of organisations with a previous track record in supporting young people’s mental health providing were invited to apply for the fund. A panel of Trust staff informed the final selection of funded projects.
Partner with us
We are actively seeking partnership with others to boost the number of young people who can benefit from this innovative approach. Get in touch today to discuss how you can work with us to expand this programme.