Stuart Anderson MP has thrown his support behind Youth Work Week, which is taking place between 3rd and 9th November 2025. The campaign is organised by the National Youth Agency, the national body for youth work and PSRB in England.
Stuart has welcomed the campaign as a brilliant opportunity to showcase how youth work benefits local communities. This year's campaign is aimed at 'building brighter futures', with access to safe places, trusted youth workers, and opportunities to thrive.
It is a national celebration of the life-changing impact of youth work. Stuart has said the opportunity is a vital time to recognise the valuable role of youth workers and the access to fun activities and social opportunities they provide for young people in South Shropshire.
Stuart has also highlighted the importance of fair funding for rural youth services, with access to youth workers. It follows publication of the National Youth Sector Survey, which found that more young people are turning to youth workers as trusted adults in their local communities.
84% of youth groups have seen increased demand for services supporting mental health and well-being. At the same time, 68% of groups have reported an increase in their operating costs. Meanwhile. 63% of groups have reported a decline in funding.
In Parliament, Stuart has urged Ministers to improve services for young people in South Shropshire. He has welcomed over £620,000 for Shropshire Council to transform its work with young people.
This builds on initial government investment in July for Shropshire Council to review and improve its local offer to young people. Stuart launched his campaign in March 2025, when he called on young people to take part in a national listening exercise to inform a new youth strategy.
In Parliament, Stuart called on Ministers to promote the national youth strategy consultation in rural areas. Shropshire was subsequently named as one of twelve councils to take part in a peer review programme. This provided local authorities with the opportunity to access an expert review of their offer.
As part of the review, Shropshire Council invited the county's young people to take part in a survey. The survey assisted a comprehensive review of youth provision and young people's needs in Shropshire.
It is part of an overall investment of more than £145 million in youth services, £79.4 million of which had been allocated by the previous government. In a letter to Youth Minister Stephanie Peacock, I said: "It is crucial that rural areas like my constituency of South Shropshire benefit from the new government investment."
In his letter, Stuart also called on Ministers to match the last government's funding, which saw over £500 million invested in youth services to ensure that every young person has access to local services.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"I am pleased to support Youth Work Week, which shines a vital spotlight on the transformational impact that access to trained youth workers can have on young people. Having urged Ministers to invest in rural youth services, I am delighted that Shropshire Council has been equipped with over £620,000 to transform its work with young people. I have also urged Ministers to match the last government's investment in youth services, which stood at more than £500 million. It is important that all young people, including those in rural areas like South Shropshire, have the opportunity to develop the skills, networks, and resilience that can improve their life chances."
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