Emery calls on colleagues to equip young people with life skills
Janaki Mahadevan
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The chief executive of the National Children's Bureau (NCB) has used her address at the charity's annual general meeting to compel colleagues to combat the "bleak prospect" facing young people.
Addressing NCB members, Dr Hilary Emery said listening to the needs of children and young people, and bolstering their grasp of key life skills, will be crucial in helping the most disadvantaged.
"Figures released last week showing youth unemployment at a record high, added to cuts to youth services, increases in university fees, the scrapping of the education maintenance allowance and the constant negative images of young people portrayed in the media, all conspire to portray a bleak prospect for our future generation," Emery said.
"We need action and investment now, listening to and working with children and young people, developing partnership work across the sector and increased investment – to provide services and support that meet their needs and increase the opportunities available.
"Society needs to show it cares about children and young people’s experiences now and is interested in their future success."
Delegates at the meeting also met with students from Park Lane School in Halifax, who had been involved in NCB’s Life Skills programme, which helps young people gain the skills needed for employment, such as teamwork, problem solving and communication.
