Young people share their struggle to work and learn
BBCYoung people who are not in employment, education or training (Neet) have said mental health issues, problems at school and a lack of opportunities have made it difficult to get on in life.
The BBC spoke to the latest cohort of a course at Young Gloucestershire, a charity which helps young people develop skills and identify pathways to work or continued learning.
It comes as more than 950,000 people aged 16-24 are classified as Neet across the UK, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
Rozzy Amos, from The King's Trust, said young people had faced a "perfect storm" of issues, making getting into work more difficult for them.
In partnership with The King's Trust, Young Gloucestershire runs the 13-week course for 16-25-year-olds, which hopes to help them navigate young adulthood.
Sixteen-year-old Lily, who attends the course after leaving school before she could finish her GCSEs, said growing up was a "rollercoaster".
"I couldn't handle school, [mental health problems] made it difficult for me to fit in," she said.
"I couldn't get along with people. I don't learn in the same way other people do - I'm more of a visual learner."
But after being referred to the charity by her social worker, she said the support she had received had helped her feel "excited about the future".
Lily is not alone in struggling to take the next step.
In 2025, the number of 16 to 17-year-olds classed as Neet increased in a number of local authorities in the West of England, according to Department for Education figures.
Hebe, 16, sat and passed her GCSEs in hospital after serious health problems kept her out of school.
She said she "never had it easy" in education and now could not go to college "because of her medical needs".
"Secondary school was quite rough; I didn't enjoy it at all. I was always behind, and teachers didn't understand that [because of her medical needs] I couldn't put all of my effort in," she said.
After spending more than a year in hospital, she hopes the course will help her take on "new challenges" and "have fun".
Ryan, 20, came to the charity after mental health struggles left him feeling "isolated", with "dark thoughts" and sometimes thoughts of suicide.
"If it wasn't for this course, I'd just be sat at home hoping for a job that might not happen," he said.
"I hope in the next year or so I will be in some type of job. This course will help with my confidence."
Young Gloucestershire's chief operating officer, Alicia Wynn, said they often adopted a "baby steps" approach for those struggling with their mental health.
She said their work involves "building up confidence and self-esteem so [young people] can access the support that is available to them".
Amos said many young people were "feeling on the floor in terms of their confidence" and felt "hopeless" as they looked to the future.
"We're seeing many more young people coming into our youth centres locally - often just unable to find a way out of that [Neet] position," she said.
One person who had overcome the challenges posed by being Neet was 24-year-old Callum Ferris.
He said the support he received in Gloucester was "life-changing" after being referred by a doctor.
"I'm in full-time employment, passed my driving test, I've got myself a lovely partner, and everything is on the up," he added.
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised to commit hundreds of millions of pounds over the next three years to tackle the rising number of NEETs in England.
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