Across the West Midlands, too many 16-24 year old NEETs (not in education employment or training) are quietly falling through the gaps.
Some are struggling with their mental health.
Some feel disconnected from education or employment.
Some are trying to navigate adulthood without the right support around them.
And many simply do not feel seen or heard by the systems designed to help them.
At Aspire4U CIC, we believe young people deserve better.
That is why we are proud to be leading a new regional youth engagement and research project in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), focused on understanding the experiences of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or who may be at risk of becoming NEET.
But this project is about far more than statistics.
It is about real people, real stories, and real experiences.
Listening to the Voices Behind the Numbers
When conversations around young people happen, decisions are often made based on data, targets, and systems.
While these are important, they do not always reflect the lived experiences behind them.
Over the coming months, Aspire4U will be speaking directly with young people, professionals, and households/communities across the West Midlands to build a clearer picture of the challenges many young people face today.
This includes conversations around:
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Employment and training barriers
- Education & service experiences
- Transitioning into adulthood
Most importantly, we want young people to know that their voices matter.
Meeting Young People Where They Are
One of the biggest issues we continue to hear is that many young people do not engage with traditional services because they do not feel accessible, relatable, or safe.
That is why this project is taking a community-first approach.
Rather than expecting young people to come to us, we are going out into communities. Our lived experience outreach teams will be engaging across Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Walsall, Sandwell, Solihull, Dudley, and surrounding areas.
We want to hear from young people in real environments, through honest conversations, without judgement.
This Is Not About Tick Boxes
This project has been designed to help shape future thinking around support, prevention, early intervention, and joined-up services for young people across the region.
We are particularly interested in understanding where systems are not connecting properly and where young people feel unsupported during important stages of their lives.
We also know that no single organisation can solve these challenges alone.
That is why collaboration is central to this work.
Working Together Across Communities
Every perspective matters. We are gathering insights from those that have key insights and understanding.
Professionals on the frontline often see the challenges first-hand, while families carry the emotional impact behind closed doors.
Bringing these voices together helps us build a more honest understanding of what young people truly need.
How You Can Get Involved
We are currently inviting:
- Young people aged 16-24 not in work, training or education
- Parents and carers or a 16-24 year old NEETs
- Professionals and organisations working with 16-24 year old NEETs
to take part in the research and engagement activities.
You can support the project by:
- Completing our feedback forms
- Sharing the project with your networks
- Talk to us on outreach and engagement (our mobile wellbeing bus will come out to you)
- Encouraging young people to have their voices heard
Every conversation helps.
Every shared experience contributes to a bigger picture.
And every voice has the potential to influence change.
Young People – bit.ly/4nhzIbM
Parents/Carers – bit.ly/4uksCWV
Professionals – bit.ly/4waWndQ
Influencers & Community Organisations – bit.ly/4wjohob
Young people are often described as “hard to reach”.
But in reality, many young people are simply tired of feeling unheard.
When we create spaces where people feel respected, understood, and genuinely listened to, engagement follows naturally.
This project is about creating those spaces.
At Aspire4U, we remain committed to building stronger, more inclusive communities where young people feel supported not just in crisis, but before they reach that point.
Because prevention matters.
Connection matters.
And listening matters.If you would like to get involved, collaborate, or learn more about the project, please contact Aspire4U CIC or follow our social media channels for updates on upcoming engagement opportunities.
