A gathering of 160 youth sector professionals took place at the University of Hull on Wednesday 25 February to discuss the challenges facing young people in the region and what the government’s new National Youth Strategy means for local services.
The event was organised by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Youth Work Unit, in partnership with the National Youth Agency, UK Youth and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Delegates had an opportunity to hear from national policy makers and discuss how the sector can work together better to improve opportunities and outcomes for young people.
When Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy was launched by the government in December (2025), three major shifts were promised:
- national decision‑making would become local
- fragmented services would involve more collaborative working
- young people would be empowered instead of excluded
The report was informed by the findings of a nationwide consultation with young people aged 10-21 years (and up to 25 years) with SEND.
Of the people from the Yorkshire and Humber region who participated in the survey, only 31% said they felt they knew how to influence decisions and fewer still, 28%, said they feel they are being heard. 62% said the cost-of-living crisis was a challenge. Affordable public transport, access to green spaces, sport and exercise, and safe and accessible spaces ranked the highest among the issues young people said were important.
The event brought together youth workers, education professionals, health and wellbeing staff, housing teams, crime‑prevention specialists, local authority leaders and funders, marking one of the widest‑ranging cross‑sector efforts in recent youth policy. Senior leaders from DCMS and national bodies were also at the event to hear directly from frontline practitioners about what is happening inthe Humber region and use this to inform their work.
Alongside the practitioner event, a separate regional youth engagement session will take place in early 2026, giving young people an active role in influencing the roll‑out of the strategy. These youth‑led forums will ensure that the voices of young people are embedded in decision-making from the outset.
Councillor Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services at Hull City Council, said; “This 10-year strategy will give us a real opportunity to strengthen the support available to young people across Hull and the wider Humber region. We will work closely with our partners to ensure national investment translates into meaningful local impact – expanding access to safe spaces, trusted adults and early help services. By listening carefully to young people and embedding their voices in our planning, we will build a more joined-up system that improves wellbeing, widens opportunity and helps every young person in our city to thrive.”
JJ Tatten, CEO at The Warren Youth Project, said: “The National Youth Strategy is an optimistic starting point. It’s reassuring and a morale booster for a sector which has felt neglected for so long. The fact that the strategy has sought the views of over 14,000 young people gives it the greatest possible chance of success. When young people are listened to, things can change.”
Charlee Bewsher, Manager of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Youth Work Unit, said: “Many of the young people in the region influenced the national youth strategy and we are now excited to take forward this step change in how youth work is offered. The Youth Work Unit is looking forward to supporting this work and facilitating greater collaboration, sharing of resources and listening to young people’s voices to ensure it meets the needs of young people across the region.”
Professor Richard Woolley, Head of School of Education, University of Hull, said: “The National Youth Strategy represents an important step in recognising and addressing the real challenges young people face, from isolation to unequal access to opportunity. The University of Hull’s School of Education, nationally recognised for its commitment to social justice and community engagement, welcomes this ambition. We see young people as active citizens with voice and agency, and we are committed through our teaching, research and partnerships to preparing educators and youth professionals to rebuild youth provision and trusted support as forces for equity, connection and hope.”
Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO, National Youth Agency said: “The event brought a wide range of youth professionals together from across the Humber region to strengthen how we support young people. It’s will help turn our shared ambition into practical action that reflects the realities of this area. Its impact comes from the expertise gathered in the room, high‑quality data, and our collective commitment to improving young people’s lives.”
Jacob Diggle, Chief Impact Officer, UK Youth said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside the National Youth Agency, Regional Youth Work Units and others to ensure youth workers have a strong and influential voice in shaping how the National Youth Strategy is delivered. These regional roadshows are a crucial bridge between national ambition and local reality – bringing together practitioners, partners, and decision-makers to build on what already works and expand access to youth workers, safe spaces, and meaningful opportunities for young people in every community.”
For more information about the National Youth Strategy visit the NYA’s website at https://nya.org.uk and sign up to the NYA network for updates.