Stimulating a more Joined-Up charity sector

Collaboration and integration are key to supporting young people – that was the key message from the chief executive of UK Youth when she spoke to charity sector news outlet Third Sector.

Ndidi Okezie OBE, UK Youth chief executive officer, was the guest on Third Sector’s latest podcast episode, Stimulating a more joined-up charity sector.

Ndidi told podcast host Lucinda Rouse and Third Sector editor Emily Burt about the need for a joined-up approach across organisations working with young people.

She said: “We do have a system that offers fragmented support, siloed services to young people. Ultimately therefore those systems of support are failing the complex needs of young people, so we really need a more strategically integrated approach that brings all of the different players around young people together in a far more intentional way.

“There is proven research and evidence about what works for young people in those specific topic areas, but that information is not reaching professionals.   

“The need for a joined-up approach is actually far more around understanding what works for young people and making sure that, regardless of what jigsaw piece you offer to young people, you are aware of the complementary other pieces, and you’re really aware of your role, but ultimately what works.”

Ndidi also championed the Joined Up Institute, which will be launched at the inaugural Joined Up Summit in Birmingham in November.

Ndidi told the podcast: “On November 7, we are bringing together a gathering of 500 decision-makers from across education, youth, business, government, civil society generally, for the Joined Up Summit. These are all sectors united by a common mission to scale opportunities and positive outcomes for young people in local communities.

“The summit is about coming together to say, we know what works. And so we’re spotlighting and platforming case studies where people have come together in a really constructive, intentional cross-sector way and deliver transformational change for local communities and young people.

“The institute is a much bigger vision, that is all about that evidence, interaction, learning; helping to unlock what works for young people and drive transformational change across sectors.”

To listen to the podcast click here. To read the full transcript, click here.

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org 

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch, a youth employability programme run in partnership with KFC. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes