Sport 4 Life UK Research: Understanding the Realities Faced by Disadvantaged Youth
Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to feel the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis and job uncertainty, and now face increasing concern around the impact AI is having on their futures.
In our latest UK-wide survey of over 400 respondents aged 11–29, we found that 76% of young people have been affected by rising food prices, 48% are worried about future job prospects, and 54% believe that AI will reduce job opportunities in the future.
To understand the ‘real’ challenges young people face today, Sport 4 Life UK and its Youth Panel conducted a nationwide survey. This valuable research helps us improve our services and ensure we are advocating the right messages to our partners and the government.
Summary findings
% of young people have needed to reduce their food spend
% not in full-time employment are worried about future job prospects
% not in full-time employment don’t know where to go for career advice
% believe that AI will reduce job opportunities in the future
About the study
The Voice of Young People study aims to gain insights into the challenges young people aged 11-29 face. Building on our VOYP 2023 findings, we retained core questions for year-on-year comparison and added new items to reflect emerging concerns.
The 2025 study involved over 400 respondents from across the UK who participated in an online, anonymous questionnaire in June 2025. The research aimed to listen directly to young people, covering key topics such as:
- Career, mental health and wellbeing support
- Future employability and career prospects
- Daily anxiety, self-esteem and coping strategies
- Attitudes towards artificial intelligence
- Impact of the cost-of-living crisis (food, rent, bills, lifestyle changes)
Sport 4 Life UK remains committed to advocating for young people and tailoring our services based on the insights gathered from this study and ongoing feedback. The questionnaire used in the study continues to be utilised in active services to monitor changes in key challenges young people face.
The Voice of Young People: survey results
Support services
Support services are more critical than ever, yet many young people still struggle to find the right help when they need it. We wanted to understand whether signposting and awareness have kept pace with demand.
- 52% don’t know where to go for career advice
- 57% of those not in full-time education or training don’t know where to go for career advice
- 26% don’t know where to go for mental health support
- 57 % don’t know where to go for family support advice
Compared to VOYP 2023, despite small year-on-year gains, many young people, especially those not in education, employment or training, still lack clear signposting to vital support services.
Future opportunities
Today, young people are faced with soaring living costs and the uncertainty of rapid technological advancements. We asked how these pressures are shaping views on future opportunities.
- 50% worry about future job opportunities
- 67% of those not in full-time education or training are worried about future job opportunities
- 84% are worried about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis
- 55% are worried about future living opportunities
Compared to VOYP 2023, concerns remain largely unchanged. However, worry over job prospects has risen from 44% to 50%, indicating that young people feel more exposed to job-market volatility and less confident about securing stable work.
Cost of living impact
Ongoing price rises have become widely accepted as inevitable and are no longer viewed as a one-off crisis. We asked which costs hit young people the hardest and how they’re adapting on a day-to-day basis.
- 76% have been impacted by the rise in food prices
- 42% have cut or cancelled subscription services
- 38% of those not in full-time education or training have been impacted by the rise in public transport
Compared to VOYP 2023, fewer young people report consciously changing their routines. Yet, increases in ‘cancelling subscriptions’ (42% vs 29%) and cutting luxury spending (52% vs 46%) could suggest these cost-driven tweaks have become habitual rather than one-off adjustments.
Technology
With rapid advances in technology, social media and artificial intelligence have become integral to young people’s daily lives, shaping both their mental health and career outlook. We asked how much time they spend online, how it makes them feel and how they view AI’s impact on jobs.
- 48 % spend more than three hours a day on social media
- 34 % feel worse or drained after using social media
- 54 % worry that AI will reduce their future job opportunities
Moderate‐to‐heavy social media users (3–6 hours) are roughly 60% more likely to report high daily anxiety than those on social media for under an hour
“I am struck by the persistent and evolving challenges that young people face, highlighted in our latest ‘Voice of Young People’ study. While the cost-of-living crisis continues to exert immense pressure, the growing concern around future job prospects is particularly striking – rising from 44% in 2023 to 50% this year.
Young people are not only grappling with immediate financial hardship but are also increasingly anxious about their long-term security, intensified by the accelerating impact of Ai, with 54% now believing it will reduce job opportunities. Our research underscores the critical need for accessible support, with many young people still struggling to find vital career and mental health support and advice.
Sport 4 Life UK remains unwavering in its commitment to empower young people to reach their potential by providing the skills, qualifications and support needed to find work and shape successful futures. We will continue to advocate for systemic change in policy and funding, as well as ensuring our delivery services are tailored to address these emerging concerns, providing the vital support our young people so desperately need to thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Support for Young People needs to change
As a leading youth employment charity, alongside other charities and the private sector, we have a responsibility to give young people the opportunity to create a better future for themselves.
Our latest Voice of Young People survey reveals critical gaps in support and highlights the need to help young people navigate the advances in technology related to their mental wellbeing. We have a responsibility to shape our services in response to this research. Additionally, we have a responsibility to disseminate this research and foster a dialogue between young people and policymakers.
First, we need to work with policymakers to create better signposting services so that every young person can quickly access up-to-date guidance on careers, counselling, housing and sports activities.
Second, we need to highlight the growing pressure young people face regarding the cost of living. We will recommend a ring-fenced Young Person Essentials Fund to subsidise nutritious food, transport fares, and digital services for 16–29-year-olds on low incomes.
Lastly, young people need to be better prepared for the rapid advances in technology. We will advocate for Future Skills funding to provide free, essential AI-focused training and apprenticeships in emerging sectors, ensuring that AI does not replace young people.
In the first instance, we have drafted a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and one to the Mayor of the West Midlands outlining young people’s urgent issues and presenting our three requests for necessary change. Our next step will depend on their response.
It’s time to rise up and make a change!
“I’m thankful for everything Sport 4 Life has done. I’ve got a job, I’ve got opportunities, and I’m helping the community. I’ve picked up so many life skills, and I’m in a better place to give my son the best upbringing and opportunities.”
Abdur
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