Rector’s Daily Reflections: Friday 22nd January 2021
Thought for Today
Earlier today I came across a quote in a recent report, published by the Prince’s Trust, which gives much food for thought. The full title of the report is The Prince’s Trust Tesco Youth Index 2021. The report is based on a survey of 2180 young people aged between 16 and 25, conducted in November and December of last year.
The report makes sobering reading. It has found that 1 in 4 young people feel “unable to cope with life” since the start of the pandemic, and this figure rises to 2 in 5 among those who are not in work, education or training. Many young people are experiencing significant mental health issues, and there are many who are concerned about their employment prospects in the short and long term.
However, there is also much that gives hope for the future. Apparently 58 % of the young people feel more motivated than ever to work for a positive future, and 74% agree with the statement that their generation can change the future for the better.
So, there are undoubted challenges, but there is also hope. The UK Chief Executive of the Prince’s Trust, Jonathan Townsend, finishes his introduction to this report with the following words: “It is only by working together…. that we can stop this generation of young people giving up on their futures - and themselves”.
This quote has given me much food for thought. How can we work together to help everyone in our society to flourish? It’s so easy in times of stress for us to hunker down and think only of ourselves and our families. But we will only flourish as individuals if we flourish as a society.
I wonder how you and I might support our young people? It might be something a simple as offering friendship and a willingness to listen. Each generation has so much to give, and so much to learn.
Prayer for Today
Lord, in a world full of anxiety and tiredness,
help us to be willing to offer the gift of friendship,
and help us to find the time to listen to another. Amen.
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