Year: 2026
Type: other
Abstract: About this guidance 2. Who is this guidance for 3. Why social connection is vital for boys and young men 4. Identifying and supporting boys and young men at risk of loneliness and isolation 5.The power of social connection 6.Additional informationLast year, we undertook one of the biggest conversations with young people that government has ever had.The result, Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy, showed us that young people today are the most connected and yet the most isolated generation in history.Too many have retreated into their bedrooms and isolated themselves from the in-person connections that are fundamental to their wellbeing.The first National Youth Strategy in 15 years has been co-designed with young people to deliver over £500m of government investment into their priorities, creating a society where every young person has places to go, things to do and people that care.However, we know some boys and young men face distinct challenges that demand our focused attention.Young people are five times more likely to experience chronic loneliness than older people.For boys and young men, these feelings are often compounded by social norms and stigma around vulnerability, which can act as a barrier to seeking help.And this can have tragic consequences: young men are more than twice as likely to take their own lives than young women.Across health, education and employment, a significant proportion of boys and young men in the UK experience consistently poorer outcomes than young women and girls.These outcomes are most severe for boys and young men facing additional disadvantage, including socioeconomic deprivation, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and limited access to local social infrastructure.We cannot leave the most vulnerable boys and young men behind.We believe that by improving opportunities for in-person connection, especially for boys and young men in disadvantaged areas, we will engage the disengaged, get them out of their bedrooms and help them to find purpose and a sense of belonging within their communities.Not only will this transform the lives of these boys and young men, it will have positive ripple effects, across their families, schools, and communities.We have developed this framework in collaboration with professionals working with boys and young men and with academic experts.With their help, we also spoke to almost 60 boys and young men to understand their experiences of connection, loneliness and isolation.Their voices are fundamental to this new guidance.This framework highlights the findings from new research and aims to raise awareness of the impacts of isolation and loneliness, the crucial role of social connection and provides guidance to those working with boys and young men on how to identify and support those who need it most.To support the sector we have also created a new dedicated sub-site for people who support social connection for young people on the Tackling Loneliness Hub.This online community provides valuable evidence-based resources, engaging events to disseminate best practice, regular newsletters to amplify success stories and share opportunities and a dedicated space for members to connect.We cannot do this alone, but together we can provide the support that boys and young men need to thrive. Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth About this guidanceThis guidance aims to provide those working with boys and young men aged 10 to 25, particularly those in policy or programme design roles, with an overview of the impacts of isolation and loneliness in the context of the challenges that boys and young men are facing.The guidance also highlights the importance of social connection as a key consideration in policy and programme design.Section 4 provides information to assist those working directly with boys and young men to identify and support individuals at risk of loneliness and isolation. How can your programme or policy help address thisEvidence suggests interventions to tackle loneliness are most effective when combined with psychological support.[footnote 30] Provide trusted adults where appropriate, to engage with men and boys in a meaningful and engaging way.Support access to clear, accurate health information, directing them to the NHS website for further support where appropriate, including the Every Mind Matters website for advice about mental health and wellbeing. How can your programme or policy help address thisConsider how your provision can encourage and support young people to attend and engage with school as an important source of social connection and how you can support them to build positive peer and trusted adult relationships in school where possible.For schools, consider monitoring levels of engagement / belonging and the quality of relationships with peers and trusted adults in the school, so that staff can understand how policies and practices are influencing school-based social connection.For schools, consider focusing on positive interactions and relationship building as part of regular interactions, informal connection opportunities and approaches to behaviour and attendance. Challenge: Engagement with employment, education or trainingThe number of young people, particularly young men, who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) has sharply increased in recent years. The power of social connectionFor those who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), having a space to connect with their peers is vital, as they do not have this at work or through education.We know that those who are NEET consistently report the lowest overall wellbeing and highest rates of isolation.For NEET young people, regular attendance at activities they enjoy, such as through sports or youth clubs can lead to re-engagement with education or employment. How can your programme or policy help address thisConsider structural factors preventing accessibility to programmes and how to mitigate them, such as ensuring venues can be accessed by public transport and subsidising transport costs.Consider minimising attendance constraints to accommodate those who require additional flexibility.Where appropriate, providing specific links to employability within programme content can help motivate and engage NEET young people.Ensure programmes align with and wrap around existing local systems by connecting young people to relevant services and support.This could include Youth Hubs and Jobcentre employability support, where appropriate, to help young people access wider opportunities and tailored help.
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7170121869