Youth Sport Trust responds to new National Youth Strategy
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy, outlining how sport, physical activity and youth provision will be used to address key challenges around wellbeing, access and connection among young people.
- Sport and physical activity are central to improving wellbeing and connection – The strategy explicitly links participation in PE, sport and play to better mental health, reduced loneliness, stronger relationships and improved life chances for young people.
- Investment is focused on tackling local barriers to participation – £250m through Sport England and £400m for facilities aim to address inequalities in access, particularly for disadvantaged groups, alongside commitments to expand youth spaces and improve access to outdoor environments.
- Schools are identified as the primary route to reach all young people – New PE and School Sport Partnerships, alongside better use of school facilities outside school hours, are positioned as key to increasing participation and ensuring consistent access to opportunities.
- Awareness and engagement are recognised as ongoing challenges – The strategy highlights low awareness of physical activity guidelines and includes plans for a national campaign, alongside wider efforts to strengthen youth voice and improve young people’s sense of belonging.