One year ago, everybody’s life changed. We were told to stay indoors and cancel any plans, appointments, interviews and many more events for the foreseeable future.
This led to a change in many 18 to 25-year-olds already planned futures. Whether that was a desire to go and study at university, or a well saved up for trip around the world. No matter what the plans were, they had to be rethought.
Statistic from the department of work and pensions said, “this meant that 5% of the UK became unemployed due to Covid, workers in hospitality, retail and entertainment have seen the biggest hits, having employed large numbers of young people, they have borne the brunt of job losses.”
This means that an increasing amount of young people are unemployed and are struggling with worries of what the future may hold without having a stable income or a job to go back to.
One 18-year-old had plans to move to Canada and become a ski instructor, she had a plane ticket, accommodation and ski gear all paid for when the news of the lockdown hit.
"During the lockdowns I experienced awful depression which led to physical health problems..."
Gracie DoonerNeil (18) a student from Cheshire said: “Since the age of 10 I have been saving up to complete a ski instructors course in Canada.
“It’s the one definite thing I had ever strived for, after the years of waiting when Covid hit I was told I could only do the course in France which I agreed to however one week before I was supposed to leave the UK went into another lockdown meaning I couldn’t go all together.
“I never really suffered with mental health issues before Covid, however during the lockdowns I experienced awful depression which led to physical health problems, I also had my first ever panic attack.” Gracie has now changed her plans for the future, instead she has taught herself new skills which include online courses, how to read spreadsheets, reading books and trying to create a clothing brand. Although her future isn’t quite how she planned, Gracie has shown strength and perseverance.
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