it's the economy, stupid...

How to avoid a 'lost generation' of jobless

Case Study: reducing youth employment through an innovative mentoring scheme.

The economic downturn that has blighted the world economy has hit young people harder than other age groups. The UK’s unemployment rate for 16 to 24 year olds is 20.8 percent – compared with 7.9 percent for adults. This picture is reflected across the across the richest countries of the world – in OECD countries, average unemployment rate for young people is 17.4% and 7% for adults. As with all unemployment, youth unemployment brings costs, such as increases in benefit payments, lost tax revenue, and wasted capacity. It also has long term costs for these young people.  Research has shown that early spells of unemployment in young people increases the likelihood of future unemployment and leaves a ‘wage scar’ in the form of reduced earnings, that persist into middle age.

In Basel, Switzerland an innovative mentoring scheme between professionals, government and young people has been used to reduce youth unemployment, and avoid these problems. Read the case study here to see how this viable and cost effective programme reduces youth unemployment.

Money, Money, Money in a rich man's world...

Case study: Time2Trade how time banking can empower society's most deprived

The UK has GDP per capita of approx. £22,200 (compared to the EU level of £19,300 per capita.), making it the 17th highest in the world. Despite rising standards of living and sustained economic growth, inequalities in income and wealth have developed.  About 22% (13.4 million people) of the population live in relative poverty. Deprivation and inequality are bad for society as a whole and the individuals affected are ‘locked-out’ from accessing healthy diets, services and activities that most people in society take for granted. This results in worse health and mental wellbeing outcomes, and increasing welfare payments and health costs.

This case study highlights what can happen when you replace a system exchanging what these people don’t have (cash) and replace it with a system exchanging what they do have (skills and time). Time2Trade is based in Sandwell – one of the most deprived boroughs in the UK. It is the only time bank in the UK that is fully funded by a NHS Primary Care Trust. Read our case study to find out how this system has created a community that increases its members’ ability to live healthier and more fulfilling lifestyles.