With a clear commitment to empowering the next generation, Julie Edge MHK, then Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, unveiled a bold and comprehensive 10-Year Youth Service Strategy designed to give every young person on the Isle of Man the tools, confidence, and support to succeed.
Launched at the Manx Youth Service’s Annual Conference, the strategy set out a transformative vision for how the island will support its young people through adolescence and into adulthood—socially, emotionally, and professionally.
“This isn’t just a strategy—it’s a promise,” Edge told youth leaders and professionals. “A promise that our young people will be seen, heard, and given every opportunity to thrive.”
A Vision Rooted in Opportunity and Wellbeing
Julie Edge’s plan puts young people at the centre of national development, laying out six clear priorities for youth service provision between 2023 and 2033:
- Accessible and inclusive services for all backgrounds
- Outdoor learning and adventure-based development
- Increased digital engagement and innovation
- Professional training for youth workers and volunteers
- More youth voice in decision-making
- Strengthened partnerships with schools, communities, and employers
The strategy aims to modernise the Youth Service, enhance support for mental health and wellbeing, and promote personal resilience, leadership and life readiness for all young people aged 8–25.
Supporting Youth Workers, Strengthening Communities
Edge was clear that empowering youth also means empowering the professionals who work with them. The strategy includes commitments to upskill youth workers, expand outreach into underserved areas, and offer modern tools to connect with today’s digitally engaged generation.
“Our youth workers are the quiet heroes,” she said. “With the right investment and vision, they become the bridge between young people and possibility.”
Turning Vision into Action
Julie Edge’s launch of the strategy is part of her broader legacy of prioritising practical, future-facing reforms—from education to childcare to health.
With this new roadmap in place, her department created a long-term structure to measure progress and maintain accountability, ensuring the vision evolves with the needs of young people over time.This strategy reflects Edge’s political ethos in full: listen to the people, invest in the future, and deliver with integrity.
Date: 17 November 2023
Location: Manx Youth Service Conference, Isle of Man
