'Young people are expected to grow up without being shown how'

Young people in Wolverhampton feel unprepared for adult life, with many worried about their future, finances and the realities of growing up, new research suggests.

A survey of almost 4,000 teenagers found many feel they are leaving childhood without the practical skills, confidence and support needed to navigate adulthood.

Youth charity OnSide said young people are increasingly calling for help with everyday life skills, from managing money to planning their careers.

Among them is 17-year-old Riley, who believes too many teenagers are being left to figure things out on their own.

"We're not taught what being an adult is, or about some of the things we need to be an adult. We're left to figure it out [by] ourselves," he said.

OnSide found almost half of young people who participated in the survey feel unprepared for adult life, with many worried about their future, finances and the challenges of growing up.

Riley said he thinks young people are left to figure out how to manage money to prepare for life after school on their own, with too little support to help them make the transition into adulthood.

"Young people need more support that teaches them the fundamentals of life, whether that's at college, school or a youth centre. Young people are growing up oblivious in certain areas", he said.

The charity's fifth annual Generation Isolation report, based on a survey of 3,944 young people aged 11 to 18 across England, paints a picture of a generation searching for greater support, practical skills and real-world experiences.

In the West Midlands, 40% of young people surveyed said they worry about deciding what they want to do in the future, while 32% are concerned about money and the cost of living.

More than a quarter said they worry about growing up.

Nearly a quarter of survey participants said learning life skills such as managing money, cooking and renting a home would better prepare them for adulthood, while others said they wanted more opportunities to try new things and gain real-life experience.

For 15-year-old Ryan, those opportunities came through The Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton.

He said the youth centre had opened doors to experiences he would never otherwise have had, helping him build confidence and think more positively about his future.

"I've tried new things like climbing, which I now do at least three times a week, met my best friends, travelled to Germany on an exchange trip and [have] become more confident.

"There are always people here I can talk to and I know I can be myself. It's helped me think more about my future and what I want to do."

The report found young people who attend youth clubs are more likely to meet new people, learn new skills and gain experiences outside the classroom.

Paul Snape, chief executive of The Way Youth Zone, said the findings highlighted the vital role youth workers play in helping young people navigate modern pressures.

"These results show just how important youth work is," he said.

"Young people are growing up with real pressures, from worrying about money and their future, to spending more of their lives online.

"But what really stands out is that 89% of young people who attend a youth club say it has made a positive difference to their lives."

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