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Name: | Shaun Phillipson |
Age: | 22 |
Year of the Fix: | 2012 |
Location: | Newcastle |
Campaign: | Show impact of unemployment on mental health |
I want to raise awareness of the effects of youth unemployment on the minds of young people.
I’ve experienced long periods of unemployment, which has caused decreased confidence and a very unhealthy lifestyle. I want to try and find other ways to develop skills and outline potential routes into work so young people can avoid how I felt.
As I left school with a limited set of qualifications, I found it hard to find satisfying work and often just completed cleaning and labouring jobs.
However, during this time, I was subject to workplace bullying. When this became too much to handle, I left my job and slumped into depression.
It was hard to stay motivated, hard to be confident, and difficult to know where to turn. It seemed like there were no opportunities.
It was this experience which spurred me on to look for others who are in the same position, and I began researching the effects of unemployment on the mental health of young people.
Living in Newcastle, I’ve seen just how unemployment can affect young people. The North-East has the highest proportion of unemployed young people in the country.
By making a docu-drama – which combines some of my experiences with original research and stories from other unemployed young people – I hope to address the mental effects of long-term unemployment. I hope I can offer some ways out and inspire people to find work or re-enter education.
The following Fixers helped me with my project
Amelia Read | Ashleigh Nellis |
David Hall | Fabrisse Pikondo |
Kayleigh Jones | Leandro Alfredo |
Mark Hesketh | Michael Williamson |
Sarah Durrant | Sean Poole |
Thomas Drummond | Vickie Dempster |
Gillian Atkinson
Thank you to Gillian for inviting me to the Tomorrows People National Awards in London to promote my campaign.
Lord Michael Bates
Thank you to Lord Michael Bates who supported my campaign, saying:
'Fantastic project. The north east is crying out for the young to be addressing issues like this on their own volition, as well as inspiring others to come together, ask questions and look for solutions.'
Thank you for your support
February 2013
My story was featured in the Evening Chronicle.
Mason Latey
Olivia G
Fixers
Hannah Carter
Sam Barakat
Jo Quinn
Ben Simms
Me and my friends want young people to know that calories aren't the enemy!
'Kate'
Becky Thorn
Jade Kingdom
Kiki
Shano
Jack H
Fern Lulham
Shannon Rawlings
Ethan Mcinally
'Ben'
Tilly and Bella
Hannah Baker
Meghann
Macauley Collinson