Youth violence and gang-related harm are serious public health issues. While it’s a proportionately small number of young people involved, they have a disproportionately large impact on the communities around them in parts of the UK. There is a strong relationship between socioeconomic factors and gang involvement; exclusion from school, ethnicity, lack of employment prospects, lack of positive role models, and poor housing or homelessness are all cited as factors for joining gangs. Joining...

Much of the UK’s criminal justice sector recruits people with lived experience of the justice system as volunteer supporters. These ‘peer mentors’ or ‘peer volunteers’ take on a range of different roles within organisations, both within prisons and in the community, hugely supporting services. Peer volunteers can benefit from the experience of giving back and improving their own self-confidence, and evidence suggests peer volunteering amongst prisoners can also prevent re-offending. Today,...

Foreign Nationals make up 11% of a total prison population in the UK. HMP Wandsworth has a significant Foreign National population, so much so that in 2021 they mobilised a Foreign National Service, now delivered by Catch22. In most prisons there is no specific support for these individuals, despite their needs being complex and the need for specialist knowledge and support – from language barriers to understanding their rights, support for this cohort is particularly urgent when could face...

In the UK, there are currently more than 370,000 cases waiting to be heard in magistrate's courts and 60,000 cases waiting to come before the Crown Courts, which handles the most serious cases. Today's episode welcomes Dame Vera Baird, Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, and Harvey Redgrave, CEO of Crest Advisory – the UK research team dedicated to crime and justice issues.  Hosted by Catch22's Josie Cochrane, we discuss the impact the delays are having on both victims and...

With reoffending rates costing society over £18 billion a year in the UK, helping prison leavers to re-enter our communities is urgently needed. With good people around them, a safe place to live, and a purpose in life, people with criminal convictions can significantly contribute to our society.  In this first episode of Catch22Minutes of Justice we explore how and why re-integration reduces the chances of reoffending. Why is successful reintegration into the community so important for...

Welcome to the second season of Catch22Minutes. Hosted by Josie Cochrane, the Communications and Marketing Manager at Catch22, this season we’ll be looking into issues faced by the UK’s justice sector, from providing effective victim services to supporting individuals in our prisons and in the community. From developing restorative justice to reducing the impact of court delays, this series will be focused on solutions that could impact every aspect of the justice...

It's the final episode of Catch22Minutes' Youth Employment series. In this first series, we have focussed on youth unemployment and the challenges ahead. We have heard from employers and charities, from those working directly with young people and from those operating in specific job sectors. We’ve talked about what needs to be done to reduce the employment gap and support young people into good, sustainable jobs.  While we have shared young peoples' stories in every episode, today we are...

During this first series of Catch22Minutes, we've covered a host of topics relating to youth employment – from digital skills, green jobs, and the hospitality sectors, to apprenticeships and how employment is key for diversion from youth violence and preventing re-offending. We have highlighted some excellent examples of the employability programmes that exist to support young people to get the skills and the confidence to enter today's job market. In one of the last episodes of 2021, we’re...

Around 66,000 people leave prison in the UK every year. But figures show only 25% of men leave prison and go into some form of employment and the statistic for women is even lower at 20%. Having a job greatly reduces the likelihood of reoffending – and with the yearly cost of reoffending at £18 billion, getting this right could have a significant impact. The government’s recently published prison strategy white paper sets out a plan to get offenders into work – introducing a new...

The government has pledged to create two million green jobs by 2030. But according to consultancy PwC, just 1.2% of all advertised job roles in the last year were linked to the green economy. So if this ambitious target is to be met, then green jobs could – and should – play a key role in helping tackle youth unemployment. In this episode of Catch22Minutes we ask: What is a green job? How key are green jobs to tackling youth unemployment? And are we seeing more young people wanting to take on...

Many of us have experienced the benefits of our social capital when job hunting – whether it’s a referral from a friend of a friend, a former colleague, or just meeting someone at the event you happened to get an invite to. Social capital brings networks, it brings trust and security, and it brings a sense of belonging. With that, it brings individuals the confidence to step up and stand out in the workplace. Research has shown that social capital can even predict work performance – and it...

From bringing in a broader range of perspectives to understanding your clients or customers better, the benefits of a diverse workforce are huge. But if it’s so beneficial, why do many organisations struggle with inclusive recruitment? Why is it that the employment rate for disabled people is 29 percentage points below the non-disabled rate? And why is the percentage of unemployed people from Black and Minority Ethnic groups twice that of the White British population? On today’s episode...

In the latest figures, apprenticeship starts are down by about 7% compared to last year. That was despite financial incentives being put in place to encourage businesses to take on apprentices. But could apprenticeships boost youth employment? What impact are Government incentives having in practice? And what are the benefits to businesses and young people in embarking on an apprenticeship? We’ll be exploring all this, and more, with Kirstin Steinmetz, Director of Workforce Development at...

In the UK, more than 720,000 young people aged 16-24 are classed as NEET (not in education, employment or training). Studies show that time spent NEET can have a detrimental effect on physical and mental health, and increase the likelihood of unemployment, low wages, or low quality of work later on in life. It can also increase some young people’s risk of serious violence.   Despite the fact that 18-25 year olds represent just 10% of the UK population, they account for 30% of all police...

For many young people, first jobs are simply a way of making some money, often whilst studying or seeking something more permanent. But a good first job can provide valuable skills or insight into an industry that you’d not considered before. Joined by Sam Olsen, CEO of Movement to Work, and David Allison, CEO of Get My First Job, we discuss first jobs and how we can tackle underemployment – where people find themselves in roles that are low-paid, low-skilled and insecure. You’ll also...

The UK Hospitality Industry employs over 3.2 million people and contributes to over £130 billion in economic activity, but it’s been hit hard by both Brexit and the impact of COVID-19. As the country reopens and the recovery starts, we discuss what the opportunities are for young people wanting to start a career in hospitality – and what that means for businesses looking to recruit. We are joined by The House of St Barnabas CEO Rosie Ferguson and Pophams Founder Ollie Gold, and we hear...

The pandemic has meant many of the roles that have traditionally been occupied by young people haven't been available, but one sector growing more rapidly than most is in technology. In our first episode, we interview Microsoft’s Philanthropies Lead Sarah Foxall and TechUK’s Policy Manager in Skills, Talent and Diversity, Nimmi Patel, and from Lauren, straight from Catch22’s Digital Edge programme.

Just a quick welcome from Catch22, introducing you to our first season which will focus on youth employment. What can society do to better prepare young people for today’s job market? And what can we all do to improve future opportunities for young people?