As part of the ViewPoint series, Paul Beesley, Prince’s Trust acting regional director for the West Midlands, talks about the charity’s work in the region

With youth unemployment levels continuing to reach record highs, the prospects for a generation of young people are looking increasingly bleak.

Here in Birmingham around a quarter of young people are struggling to find a job. This untapped potential is a tragedy, not only for the young people – but also for our city’s economy, which is estimated to lose up to £4.3 million per week in benefits and lost productivity.

Here at youth charity The Prince’s Trust we believe every young person deserves a future, whether they’re long-term unemployed, homeless, struggling at school or have been in trouble with the law. When The Prince’s Trust was set up in 1976 it was a time of great social unrest in Britain. The economy was suffering, compounded by trade union strikes, rising inflation and high unemployment. Worryingly as we celebrate our 35th birthday many of these problems have re-emerged today, with the youth of today in the firing line. That makes the work we do at The Prince’s Trust more important than ever.

Unemployment can also have a knock-on effect on a young person’s confidence and mental health, with many of Birmingham’s young people who are out of work saying they have suffered from depression or even self loathing. Sadly, the longer the period they are unemployed for, the more likely they are to experience this psychological scarring.

However, at The Prince’s Trust we believe it doesn’t have to be this way. The one thing that has remained constant throughout the 35 years of the Trust is our absolute and unwavering belief in the city’s young people. I have seen with my own eyes the determination of youngsters to break free of these barriers and there is plenty of hope for the future. Each year, we help hundreds of young people in Birmingham, changing their lives for the better.

But despite this, there are still many more who are struggling and who could be contributing so much to the region if they are given the right support. Thousands lack the skills and confidence to achieve their dreams and only by re-engaging them can we give them the hope to fulfill their potential and break down these barriers.