Witton Lodge Community Association featured in ITV News’ national report exploring the challenges facing young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).  

Filmed at Perry Common Community Hall in Erdington, the report explored the barriers many young people face when trying to find work, access training and build a meaningful career. And with nearly 1 in 5 young people in Birmingham being unemployed, this is a timely reminder of the importance of practical, community-based support in helping young people take their next steps. 

Marcia Lewis, Employment and Enterprise Advisor in Witton Lodge’s Employment & Skills team, spoke about the resilience and ambition of the young people she works with. Her message was clear: with the right guidance, encouragement and opportunities, young people can move towards a more positive and secure future. 

Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer at Witton Lodge Community Association, said: 

“Birmingham is a youthful city, full of talented young people with ambition and potential. The NEET crisis is not a young people problem – it is a national challenge that demands a local, practical and compassionate response. 

At Witton Lodge, we’re expanding our established Employment and Skills team to help address the barriers preventing too many young people across North Birmingham from accessing opportunities and reaching their full potential. 

Through our strong relationships with the employment and skills partners, we are building real routes into work, education and training. Determined in our belief that a young person’s postcode or circumstances shouldn’t determine their future.” 

Supporting young people across North Birmingham 

Our NEET work is delivered through the WOW! Youth Trailblazer and Connect to Work programmes, supporting young people across North Birmingham. 

These programmes provide tailored, one-to-one support to help young people identify their goals, build confidence and develop the skills they need to progress. Support can include employability guidance, CV and interview preparation, careers advice, training opportunities and connections to local employers. 

At Witton Lodge, we understand that there is no single route into work. Every young person’s circumstances are different, which is why our team works alongside them to find the path that is right for them – whether that is employment, education, training, an apprenticeship or another positive destination. 

As the scale of the NEET challenge grows across the UK, Witton Lodge is committed to helping young people access timely, trusted and practical support close to home.  

Growing our team across our hubs strengthens our ability to respond flexibly to individual needs, rather than expecting young people to fit into rigid programmes. 

Creating opportunity in our communities 

The ITV report is an important reminder that youth unemployment is not simply about a lack of ambition. It is often shaped by barriers including limited local opportunities, confidence, access to networks, skills gaps and the difficulty of knowing where to start. 

We are grateful to ITV News for shining a national spotlight on this issue, and to the young people who shared their experiences. Their voices matter – and their potential deserves to be recognised and supported. 

Watch the full ITV News report: