Paperweight launches ‘life-skills’ initiative for young adults
Next Gen will help 18 to 25-year-olds navigate everything from budgeting and banking to renting a home and understanding workplace rights
Paperweight, the Jewish community’s crisis support organisation, has launched a new initiative designed to equip young adults with the practical skills and support needed to navigate independent life.
NextGen is a free programme aimed at 18 to 25-year-olds and will help participants tackle many of the challenges that come with adulthood, from managing finances and understanding employment contracts to renting a home and dealing with everyday administration.
The launch comes amid growing concern over young people’s preparedness for adult life, following a recent report by the Richmond Project, established by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, businesswoman Akshata Murty, which highlighted widespread gaps in financial knowledge among young people.
The initiative comprises three strands: Educate, Empower and Enrich.
The Educate programme will offer practical life-skills courses delivered by industry professionals, covering topics including financial literacy, housing, banking, budgeting, employment contracts and workplace rights.
Through Empower, Jewish young adults and students will be able to access Paperweight’s free, confidential support services. Trained caseworkers will provide practical help to address financial, administrative and personal challenges before they escalate into crisis. Meanwhile, the Enrich strand centres on NextGen PaperMate, an intergenerational volunteering programme that will pair young volunteers with older members of the community. Participants will be trained to provide practical administrative support and companionship while gaining valuable transferable skills, experience and confidence.
Barry Shaw, executive director of Paperweight, said: “At Paperweight, we never shy away from bold initiatives in meeting challenges of the day – in this case the challenge of young people having to navigate new life-skills for which they have had no training.
“NextGen embraces our younger generation while also providing a lifeline for our elders – creating meaningful support, connection and opportunity at both ends of the age spectrum.”
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