Jobless youngsters face life of misery, warns Prince’s Trust

JOBLESS youngsters in London could face a lifetime of poor health and misery, The Prince’s Trust warns. Those out of work are significantly less happy with their health, friendships and family life than others, a survey on YouGov reveals

By Mike Brooke

JOBLESS youngsters in London could face a lifetime of poor health and misery, The Prince's Trust warns.

Those out of work are significantly less happy with their health, friendships and family life than others, the trust's YouGov Youth Index survey reveals.

One-in-10 "rarely" or "never" feel loved, while 13 per cent are depressed all or most of the time and 15 per cent feel their life lacks direction.

The survey, based on interviews with 2,000 youngsters from 16 to 25, suggests those without work are twice as likely to be depressed and more likely to feel ashamed, isolated and unloved.

"The implications of youth unemployment stretch beyond the dole queue," said the trust's London regional director Rosemary Watt-Wyness.

"The emotional affects are profound, long-term and can become irreversible. We must act now to prevent a lost generation of young people before it is too late."

The research comes as youth charity announces its new 'Undiscovered' campaign to help a generation whose talents and prospects have been dashed in the recession.

The campaign calls for Government and industry to help raise �1 million-a-week to support the disadvantaged youngsters.

"They bore the brunt of the recession last year," Rosemary added. "One-in-four of London's unemployed are under 25."

The result, she finds, is a generation of undiscovered skills and talents.