National Three Peaks BKUK x UKY
Millie Ginnett is raising money for UK Youth
Team: UK Youth Staff
Story
15 YEAR-OLDS IN THE UK ARE THE SADDEST IN EUROPE.
MORE THAN 1 IN 4 CHILDREN IN THE UK NOW LIVE IN POVERTY.
THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS HAS DOUBLED IN THE LAST DECADE.
THE NUMBER OF YOUNG WOMEN SELF-HARMING HAS TRIPLED SINCE 2000.
After becoming the ultimate hiking keen bean in NZ, you all know I jump at any opportunity to get into the mountains, but I'm really stoked to be able to take part in this epic challenge of climbing the 3 biggest peaks in Scotland, Wales & England in 24hrs while raising money to help tackle those outrageous stats above!
I try not to hammer on at you all too much about the bleak, bleak landscape of things for young people and what we're doing about it at UK Youth, but seeing as I'm now asking you to stump up to help us, it feels pretty appropriate!!!
Research proves that youth work has a direct impact on decreasing crime and antisocial behaviour while improving both mental & physical health and also education & employment outcomes for young people, all of which save the tax-payer over £3.2billion annually (yes, you guys!). We can also prove that young people who have access to youth provision growing up, go on to become happier, healthier and wealthier adults. Pretty wild then that despite all of this, it still continues to be a crazy underfunded, under-represented and under-resourced lifeline for young people.
That's where we come in, to make this life-changing, and often life-saving support accessible to the young people who need it the most across the UK.
In the last 5 years alone, we've unlocked and distributed over £20m to the youth sector and supported millions of young people facing the most complex and severe challenges.
Youth work saves the lives of vulnerable young people like Kerrie; who was self-harming and suicidal before being supported by UK Youth and her youth worker.
“The last event I spoke at was one of my proudest moments. Everyone was listening to me. This time last year I was planning to end my life and now I’m here. My youth worker didn’t let me give up and told me it wasn’t the end. With the opportunities through UK Youth, I’ve had the chance to do so many things to help me get out of my situation. I’ve been pushed out my comfort zone and realised I could do it”.
Anything you're able to contribute to help us would be massively, massively appreciated.
Thanks team x