This week in Westminster, Nigel Evans MP attended a parliamentary reception hosted by McDonald’s UK&I and BBC Children in Need to celebrate the launch of Makin’ It - a new nationwide initiative to better support young people and unlock genuine opportunity.
The initiative aims to give young people greater access to opportunities and help rebuild youth services across the UK, with BBC Children in Need and McDonald’s aiming to fund 500 new youth worker qualifications and create safe spaces for young people in McDonald’s restaurants.
Its launch comes alongside recent research from McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need which shows that young people are experiencing barriers to success, with over half (51%) changing their ambitions for the future as a result of a lack of opportunity for them. It also found that almost two-thirds (64%) of young people are saying they worry often about the future, highlighting the importance of youth workers involved in initiatives like Makin’ It, working hard to support young people in difficult circumstances.
As part of the reception, Nigel had the opportunity to meet with youth workers Joel and Rianne who are from the local projects the programme is supporting and learn about the difference this programme is making. Nigel also met with BBC Children in Need’s CEO Simon Antrobus and McDonald’s UK Vice President of Impact Andrew Moys to understand more about the partnership and the roll-out of Makin’ It projects in areas like the Ribble Valley.
Commenting on the event, Nigel said:
“It was brilliant to celebrate the launch event of Makin’ It this week to learn about how McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need are unlocking the potential of young people in our communities through their partnership.
“Whilst speaking with representatives from both McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need we discussed the importance of helping to increase opportunities and rebuilding youth services, particularly in rural areas such as the Ribble Valley.
“Living in a rural setting should not disadvantage any young person in the opportunities they are offered, and we must do all that we can to ensure that rural communities are provided with the equal attention and opportunities as urban ones.
“These youth workers provide a fantastic frontline service, transforming young lives. The partnership will continue to support them as they set up more and more projects right across the country, and I look forward to hearing more as their hard work continues.”
Andrew Moys, McDonald’s UK & Ireland Vice President, Impact explained why the company has made this groundbreaking move:
“It’s no secret that young people today are facing some incredibly challenging times, particularly when it comes to accessing trusted adult support and opportunities. Over the last 18 months we’ve seen first-hand the difference that can be made through connecting our restaurants directly with youth services and youth workers. Young people, who often have nowhere to go and no one to speak to can now access the support they need, in an environment they feel comfortable in.
The scale of our restaurant estate and dedication of our 200 franchisees in communities across the UK and Ireland, mean we have the ability to make a real impact on the lives of young people. Makin’ It is about frontline change – it is youth work embedded into that specific local area, it is access to warm, welcoming spaces that young people know and ultimately it provides tangible, local opportunities that will help young people to make it.”