Youth promise

Far too many young people find themselves outside employment and education. This can create uncertainty about the future and make it harder to gain a foothold in the job market.

At headspace, we see every day how worries about the future weigh on young people. We can see that concerns about jobs and education are among the five most common reasons young people reach out to us. The education system is largely designed for those who can navigate independently and act as their own project managers. For young people who find that more difficult, this can quickly lead to doubt, insecurity, and a fear of making the wrong choice.

That’s why headspace is a partner in Ungeløftet. At headspace, we use our many years of experience with young people to strengthen their mental health and wellbeing. We help young people find their own path, while also working to ensure that educational institutions and workplaces are better equipped to support them.

headspace is present in 33 municipalities and works closely with local partners. This gives us a unique opportunity to put our experience into play — adapting it to the specific challenges and opportunities each municipality faces in relation to Ungeløftet.

Here are three examples of how headspace contributes:

Tietgen EUD/EUX in Odense, like many other vocational schools, finds that the transition from the basic course to the main course can be a vulnerable period for students. It’s particularly during the phase when young people must find an apprenticeship that challenges often arise. The risk of dropping out increases if students aren’t supported or guided sufficiently during this process. That’s why headspace Odense collaborates with Tietgen EUD/EUX to strengthen students’ wellbeing and support their retention in education. The collaboration is based on a holistic understanding — recognising that retention is not only about academics but equally about students’ social wellbeing and their ability to navigate the transition between different educational stages.

As part of the initiative, headspace conducts sessions for Tietgen’s staff that provide knowledge and tools to support students’ wellbeing — following a train-the-trainer approach. For the students, headspace organises introductions and wellbeing workshops where they receive practical tools and have the opportunity to reflect together on how to create a positive learning and community environment.

In addition, network groups are established where students can, in a safe and supportive space, work with the challenges they face during their education. At the same time, they get to know headspace as a place where they can seek support — also as they move on to the main course of their programme.

The aim of the initiative is to strengthen students’ wellbeing so that more of them complete their education. At the same time, young people gain better tools to handle both academic and social challenges, giving them a stronger foundation for their future education and working life.