The Mix responds to new Government Youth Strategies putting young people first
The UK Government has launched a new National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, for the first time in over two decades, setting out a focus on the realities facing young people across England.
In the Ministerial Foreword, Secretary of State Lisa Nandy highlights the findings of the State of the Nation report, describing “the reality of what it is like to grow up in England in 2025”. Co-produced with young people from a wide range of backgrounds and shaped by the largest national conversation with young people in over a decade, the strategy places young people back “in the driving seat of their own lives”.
In a second announcement, Violence Against Women and Girls has been declared a national emergency by the UK Government, as “on average, every day, 200 rapes are recorded by the police, and more go unreported.” Against this backdrop, Government is launching a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. “The full power of the state will be deployed in the largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history.”
The Mix Stowmarket welcomes this national focus on young people and the recognition of the challenges they face, as well as the enhanced crack down on violence against women and girls.
Why this matters locally
Young people today are growing up in a world that is more connected than ever, yet many feel increasingly isolated. In Mid Suffolk, young people face additional pressures including rural isolation, financial hardship, rising mental health needs, and limited access to opportunities. These challenges affect not only young people themselves, but families and communities as a whole.
Suffolk County Council’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy has been instrumental in strengthening our support for girls and young women. In Suffolk, out of a population of over 760,000, there were over 14,000 domestic abuse reports, and almost 2,000 sexual offences reported in 2024.
How The Mix supports young people
Youth Matters sets out 10 key actions the Government wants to achieve over the next 10 years for young people to feel safe, connected to their community, more opportunities at school, work and in their free time, and more support for their health.
The actions include more trusted adults in the community, more youth workers, better connected to friends and relationships, more fulfilling lives, good work prospects, keeping young people safe, safe places to go, supporting health and wellbeing, delivering with young people, and holding the Government to account. These directly support The Mix’s purpose to enhance the lives of young people.
The Mix supports young people aged 9 to 25 to build confidence, resilience and independence. Through safe, welcoming spaces, trusted support and skills-building activities, The Mix helps young people navigate challenges relating to mental health, isolation and disadvantage, giving every young person the chance to reach their potential.
The charity delivers a wide range of inclusive programmes, working in partnership with families, schools and community organisations. Activities include Crucial Crew for primary schools, one-to-one mentoring, youth social prescribing, open-access drop-ins, holiday activities, Thrive alternative education provision, life-skills mentoring, employability coaching, home education drop-ins, Mini Mixers for families, community events, and its annual Alternative Prom.
Rooted in the Mid Suffolk community since 2013, The Mix has supported thousands of young people. Its work is shaped by co-design, ensuring young people’s voices are central to decision making. Through regular feedback, surveys and everyday conversations, young people directly influence programmes, events and facilities, ensuring the charity’s work is not only for young people, but by them.
The Mix is currently re-establishing its Youth Forum, giving young people a formal platform within its governance structure to influence key decisions. This approach helps develop leadership skills, confidence and a sense of ownership, while ensuring services remain relevant and inclusive.
Much of The Mix’s work focuses on early intervention and prevention, using positive and diversionary activities to keep young people safe and supported. This creates long-term social value for the wider community. All services are provided free of charge to young people, funded through grants, trusts, donations and public support.
Through the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy for Suffolk, we are proud to play a role in addressing such a critical issue. Our programme focusses on empowering girls and young women by exploring essential topics like healthy relationships, self-esteem, body image, the impact of social media, friendships, family dynamics, and more.
This work is not only vital but life-changing, equipping young people with the tools and confidence to navigate challenges and build brighter, healthier futures.
John Blair, CEO of The Mix, said:
“The National Youth Strategy and Violence Against Women and Girls announcements have come at an important time for The Mix. We are entering a new strategic phase, with a strengthened leadership team and a focus on how we best support young people locally.
“As we look ahead, we are committed to ensuring this important work continues to grow, reaching more young people who need support and creating lasting, positive change across our communities.
“We welcome the strategies and will carefully consider how our work can align with national priorities, while continuing to respond to the needs of our young people and their community.”
