Covid School Closures: How a Lost Childhood Still Hurts Young People
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The Covid Inquiry: A Sobering Truth
On the first day of a four-week session devoted to the impact of the pandemic on children and young people, the UK Covid Inquiry heard that school closures during lockdowns damaged the “very fabric of childhood.”
Children missed out not only on education but also on vital social development, mental health support, and the chance to simply be young. For many, the closures widened existing inequalities — and for those already vulnerable, the damage was profound.
The Lasting Impact on Young People
The disruption went far beyond missed lessons. The consequences are still being felt across the UK:
- Education Gaps: Many students lost months of structured learning, with disadvantaged children hit hardest.
- Mental Health Crisis: Isolation and uncertainty fuelled anxiety, depression, and rising demand for services.
- Loss of Belonging: Young people missed milestones, friendships, and routines that form the foundation of childhood.
- Rising NEET Rates: More young people now leave school without clear pathways into education, employment, or training.
For children in care, those with SEND, or those already at risk of exclusion, these barriers are even higher.
What We See at Genuine Futures
At Genuine Futures CIC, we work daily with young people who are living with the aftershocks of these closures. Many of the young people coming through the Young Futures Hub in Bolton tell us they felt “forgotten” during the pandemic. They lost confidence, routine, and sometimes hope.
But we also see the solution: community, belonging, and opportunity. Through our programmes — from We Shine Any Car, our youth-led enterprise, to alternative provision and one-to-one mentoring — we’re helping young people rebuild the skills, trust, and resilience they lost.
Therapeutic, Community-Led Provision
What young people need now is not just academic “catch-up.” They need therapeutic, community-based spaces where they feel supported and safe:
- Enterprise activities that rebuild confidence and give practical skills.
- Alternative provision for children at risk of exclusion, with a focus on belonging.
- One-to-one mentoring that helps restore trust and purpose.
- Youth-led projects where young people are given responsibility and a voice.
At the Young Futures Hub, we’ve seen first-hand how connection and conversation can improve mental health and create a sense of belonging that school closures took away.
A Call to Action
The Covid Inquiry is right: school closures damaged the “very fabric of childhood.” But the question now is — what will we do about it?
If we want to repair the damage, we need more investment in youth services, alternative provision, and community hubs like ours. We must prioritise mental health, belonging, and opportunity — not just test scores.
At Genuine Futures, we’re committed to ensuring no young person is left behind. With support from partners, funders, and the community, we can give young people the futures they deserve.
Get Involved
- Learn more about the Young Futures Hub and our programmes: www.genuinefutures.co.uk
- Support our youth-led car wash We Shine Any Car: Pay It Forward Campaign
- Partner with us to bring hope and belonging back into young lives.
Conclusion
Covid may have closed schools, but it doesn’t have to close doors for our young people. By investing in belonging, enterprise, and therapeutic support, we can repair the damage and prove that when young people shine, communities shine too.
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