Envision’s Response to the National Youth Strategy

We welcome the Government’s Youth Matters strategy – the first dedicated National Youth Strategy in 15 years – and are encouraged to see its strong focus on equitable access to youth work, trusted relationships, and enriching experiences that support young people’s wellbeing and future prospects. These priorities align closely with Envision’s longstanding belief that Essential Skills and meaningful opportunities should be available to every young person, not just those who happen to access them by chance.

Why this is promising

There is a welcome emphasis on collaboration between youth organisations, schools, employers and communities. This reflects the reality that the most meaningful opportunities for young people often happen when these sectors come together. Envision’s work sits within this ecosystem – bringing young people together with volunteer mentors through our local partnerships – and it is encouraging to see a national strategy that recognises the importance of these relationships.

The recognition of Essential Skills and youth leadership as national priorities is also an important move. Young people need opportunities to communicate, work in teams, solve problems, and build confidence through real-world experiences. These skills are central to strong youth work and have long been a core part of what we deliver through youth-led social action and mentoring.

We also welcome the commitment to a new Enrichment Framework for schools and colleges, major investment in youth spaces, and a target to halve the participation gap in enriching activities. These steps create the right environment for more young people to access consistent, high-quality opportunities – the kind of sustained engagement that builds confidence, capability and long-term outcomes.

Our role moving forward

As this strategy moves into delivery, Envision is ready to:

• Continue expanding access to youth‑led enrichment in the communities and schools that need it most.
  
• Strengthen networks of mentors and trusted adults through partnerships with employers and volunteers.
  
• Share learning and evidence to help shape high‑quality, sustainable enrichment offers locally and nationally.
  
• Work alongside partners in the Enrichment For All coalition to ensure that enrichment becomes a lived reality for every young person.

The publication of Youth Matters marks an important moment and we are committed to playing our part in making sure its ambitions translate into meaningful, equitable opportunities for young people across the country.