UK Youth has described a £1m donation it has received this week from the Reed Foundation as “game changing”.

The money has been handed to the youth charity by the funder through its Sir Alec Reed Prize, created in honour of its founder Sir Alex Reed and to mark his 90th birthday.

The prize is aimed at supporting young people aged between 16 and 24 who are experiencing challenges in finding work and training due to mental health problems. It is estimated that 576,000 young people in this age bracket are identified as not in employment, education or training (NEET).

More than 20 charities applied for the prize, with UK Youth selected after liaising with an advisory panel of commissioning, policy and mental health experts.

“We’re honoured and excited to have been awarded this prize from The Reed Foundation,” said UK Youth’s interim chief executive Vicky Browning.

“We know from our existing programmes that experiencing poor mental health remains one of the greatest and most consistent barriers to young people entering and remaining in employment.

“It is vital young people get the early help they need to thrive, particularly in terms of mental health.

She added: “In a sector that’s incredibly under-funded, £1 million is game-changing.

“This will allow us to broaden our scope to empower young people and potentially transform their lives through the support we will now be able to extend to them. Working together across sectors and services, including youth workers, is key to supporting young people.”

Reed Foundation advisory panel member Rachel Kelly, who campaigns on mental health issues, said: “I know from first-hand experience, and as an ambassador for mental health charities SANE and Rethink Mental Illness, that being employed is crucial for wellbeing.

“It was a real honour to have been involved in the Reed Foundation’s efforts to help young people who are struggling with their psychological health to both get and keep a job.”

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