Potential Youth Development Coaching was first imagined during the 2020 Global pandemic when it became apparent the extent to how much the effects of social isolation was having on young peoplein the in th eUK and across the world.

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The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a multifaceted impact on young people in the UK, affecting mental health, education, and economic prospects. Data from the Office for National Statistics revealed a significant increase in self-reported mental health issues—such as anxiety and depression—among those aged 16-24 during lockdown periods, largely driven by isolation and uncertainty about the future.

Research from mental health charities like Young Minds further highlighted that many young individuals experienced exacerbated pre-existing mental health conditions, with a notable rise in feelings of loneliness and stress. In the educational sphere, prolonged school closures and the abrupt shift to remote learning disrupted academic progress and widened existing inequalities, as evidenced by analyses from the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

These converging factors underscore the pandemic’s role in deepening vulnerabilities among young people, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted psychoeducational interventions to support their recovery and future resilience.