A new national study launched last week at Dundee’s Hot Chocolate Trust by YouthLink Scotland and the University of Edinburgh reveals that Scotland’s voluntary youth work sector is “essential and transformational” but faces growing pressure from insecure funding, rising demand, and lack of recognition.
A new national study launched last week at Dundee’s Hot Chocolate Trust by YouthLink Scotland and the University of Edinburgh reveals that Scotland’s voluntary youth work sector is “essential and transformational” but faces growing pressure from insecure funding, rising demand, and lack of recognition.
The report, Essential and Transformational: Investigating the Future of Voluntary Sector Youth Work in Scotland, builds on existing evidence and highlights the critical role youth work plays in the lives of young people and communities, improving wellbeing, building confidence, and providing trusted relationships, while warning that the sector’s future is threatened by short-term and competitive funding.
The research involved four voluntary youth work organisations: Girvan Youth Trust, Hot Chocolate Trust, Muirhouse Youth Development Group and Girlguiding Scotland, using a participatory approach that trained youth workers as practitioner researchers to ensure insight directly from practice.
Commenting on the research findings, Dr Andrew James Williams, University of Edinburgh, said:
“Across the whole of Scotland youth workers are helping young people reach their potential. However, many youth work organisations are voluntary organisations reliant on applying for funding. Through this research we heard about how voluntary sector youth work organisations are being asked to fill more and more cracks in service provision, while also receiving less and less funding. This puts the future of youth work and Scotland’s young people at risk. Youth work can play an essential and transformational role in the lives of young people and communities, but is currently undervalued both financially and as a specialist practice and service.”
Dave Close, Executive Director of Hot Chocolate Trust, who was involved in the research said:
“The challenges facing young people have never been more pressing or more complex. Trying to design support around so many issues in a time of shrinking resources seems impossible. But youth work meets that complexity head on by being alongside young people through it all… with a skill set to build trust, relieve fear and isolation, and help young people grow their gifts and navigate whatever they are facing today and tomorrow, youth workers make a difference in every situation. As this research shows, investing in youth work is investing in the young people of Scotland.”
Tim Frew, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, added:
“Too often, youth work is treated as peripheral to education or social care, when in fact it’s the bridge that connects them. The voluntary youth sector has deep relationships and reach, but not the power or resources to shape the policies that affect it. That imbalance must change if we want genuine equity for young people and the services that support them.”
The research concludes that youth work should be recognised as an essential public service, one that helps prevent crisis, supports wellbeing and builds stronger, safer communities.
The launch event took place at Hot Chocolate Trust, The Steeple Church, Nethergate, Dundee, bringing together youth workers, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the findings and the future of youth work in Scotland.
You can read the full report here: Future-of-Youth-Work-Research-Report-Final-2025.pdf