New Research Highlights the Impact of Paid Work on Reducing Summer Violence
A summer employment initiative inspired by successful US models is expanding across England and Wales in 2025, offering 1,500 paid work placements to young people at risk of violence.
Following a successful 2024 feasibility study, the Summer Jobs Programme, led by UK Youth, will extend its reach to South Wales, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Sheffield, and Doncaster. Last year, 428 young people from Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and London gained valuable experience through placements with employers such as Timpson, Burger King, and Veolia.
The programme initially received £1.5 million in funding from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), alongside financial backing from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) and Youth Futures Foundation (YFF). As the initiative grows, YEF and YFF will continue supporting it for the next two years.
First-Hand Experiences from Participants and Employers
Participants have expressed the programme’s life-changing impact. Zena Ali, who took part in the initiative, shared: “I honestly think this should be available to everyone. It has given me transferable skills and proof that I can work in a professional setting… this has been a transformative experience for me. Employers have also seen remarkable results. Lee Love, Contract Manager for Veolia, reflected on one participant’s journey: “The participant started off reserved and hesitant, but by the end of the programme, their confidence had grown significantly. We treated him as part of the team, and he exceeded our expectations. I like to think he left with useful experience and a sense of pride in what he achieved.”
How Summer Employment Reduces Violence
Summer job programmes like One Summer Chicago have been widely implemented in the US to help young people in areas affected by poverty, unemployment, and violence. These schemes combine paid work experience with mentoring, training, and youth worker support.
To explore the potential of these initiatives in the UK, the YEF conducted a research review, summarised in a new section of the YEF Toolkit an online resource that evaluates the effectiveness of violence prevention strategies.
Key findings from US studies indicate that summer employment programmes can:
- Reduce violence by 36% during the summer months while participants are in the programme.
- Lower overall crime rates by 17% in the same period.
Longer-term effects include:
- A 9% reduction in violence-related arrests over three years.
- A 4% decrease in overall arrests or convictions over five years.
- Higher chances of participants attending and completing higher education.
- Some studies indicate small increases in drug-related and property-related arrests, though the data is limited.
With only two US studies available, further research is needed to determine how well this approach works in the UK. To address this, the Ending Youth Violence Lab is working alongside YEF to evaluate the UK Youth Summer Jobs Programme.
Jon Yates, CEO of the Youth Endowment Fund, emphasised the programme’s potential: “Young people need opportunities, and summer jobs provide just that. They offer a first step on the career ladder, enhance CVs, and provide financial support. While the evidence is still limited, US programmes have shown promising results in reducing violence. Now, we want to see if we can achieve the same positive impact here in the UK.”
Call for Employers to Join the 2025 Programme
As the Summer Jobs Programme expands in 2025, UK Youth is calling on employers in the North East, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, South Wales, and London to provide five-week paid placements for young people aged 16-20 between July and September.
Businesses and local partners are encouraged to offer more than just jobs helping young people build skills, confidence, and aspirations for the future.
Vicky Browning, Interim CEO of UK Youth, expressed her gratitude to the programme’s supporters: “We are immensely proud to have helped over 400 young people through the Summer Jobs Programme in 2024, and we are committed to expanding this impact. This would not be possible without funding from the Youth Endowment Fund, the employers offering life-changing placements, and the dedication of youth workers. Together, they provide a lifeline to hundreds of young people, shaping brighter futures. The research from this programme will also help influence future interventions and funding, particularly for those most at risk of violence.”
The 2025 Summer Jobs Programme aims to support more young people, offering them not just employment but hope, stability, and opportunity.