It takes a village. Here’s how you can help the next generation thrive.
As autumn approaches, thousands of young adults across the UK are preparing for big life milestones, like heading to university, starting an apprenticeship, entering college, or stepping into their first job.
While it’s a season full of potential, it’s also a time of financial pressure and anxiety. Rising costs mean that many young people and families are entering adulthood under a cloud of financial stress before they’ve even received their first payslip or student loan payment.
At CAP, we believe in helping the next generation step out of that darkness and building a future where financial worry doesn’t hold young people back. But doing that takes more than just good advice, it takes a village.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
You don’t have to be a parent of a student to make a difference. Whether you’re a neighbour, church member, mentor or friend, here are practical ways you and your community can support young people as they step into this next season:
1. Offer practical everyday support
Small, practical gestures can take a huge weight off a young adult’s shoulders as they transition into independent living:
- Share the essentials: Donating or passing on good-quality household items, stationery, warm winter coats, or kitchenware you no longer need saves young adults hundreds of pounds upfront.
- Help with job readiness: Offer an hour of your time to help a young person write a CV, review job applications, or practice mock interview questions. You can also direct them to CAP’s free and supportive job clubs.
- Check in regularly: A simple text, a coffee or a home-cooked meal can provide a safe space for a young person to share how they are really coping.
Are you a parent or carer preparing a young person for university?
Read our dedicated guide for parents by money coaching expert, Alison, How to support your child at university: a guide for parents and carers for specific advice on navigating life skills, emotional wellbeing and finances together.
2. Share free tools and resources
Sometimes, the best way to help someone is to equip them with the right tools. You can make a direct impact today right from your phone or laptop:
- Pass on a free budget worksheet here: Managing money doesn’t have to be a pain, you can help young people learn the skills to make it simple.
- Share our money saving tips blog here: Help young people manage their money, reach their financial goals and find extra ways to boost their income.
- Share our savings blog for university: If you want to share tips on saving money for university specifically, this blog can help.
- Share our money and mental health resource: At CAP, we have absolutely no doubt that money and mental health are deeply connected. This resource can be helpful for students to improve their wellbeing and financial situation.
- Share our free resource about anxiety and worry: This session can give young people a better understanding of what causes them to worry, to help them identify anxious thoughts when they crop up, and to offer simple, practical tools to reduce the impact of worry in their lives. This can be helpful for students or young people starting a new journey this back-to-school season.
See how CAP’s services can help
If you need to help a young person get free debt advice, find a job, manage their money or gain vital life skills, CAP’s free services are here to help.
3. Mobilise your local church
Churches are uniquely placed to create strong safety nets for young adults leaving home or moving to the local area:
- Host a ‘Back to school Sunday’ and encourage your congregation to bring in stationery, school supplies and supermarket vouchers that can be passed on to students or families struggling with seasonal costs.
- Start a mentoring scheme: Pair older church members with young adults entering college or university to offer encouragement, guidance and prayer.
- Celebrate the young people in your congregation: Invite students starting or leaving school or university to join you at the front of your Sunday service, and pray with them alongside your congregation to encourage them.
You are the light of the world
Jesus’ call to be the light of the world isn’t just an idea, but it’s an invitation to bring hope in practical ways.
No young person should have to navigate financial fear alone. By surrounding the next generation with encouragement, community support and practical tools, we can help them start this new chapter with confidence and hope.
