It forms part of #BeeWell, a youth-centred programme which seeks to improve young people’s wellbeing based on their direct feedback. It is working with Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, to run annual surveys with young people in schools across the region and to drive community action in response to the findings.
Now in its third year locally, the programme’s most recent findings show positive improvements across several areas, including higher life satisfaction, improved psychological wellbeing and reductions in emotional difficulties among Year 10 students compared to previous years. The latest survey marks a significant milestone for the programme as it expanded to include Year 7 pupils for the first time, offering new insight into the experiences of young people as they transition into secondary school.
However, the survey also highlights that young people’s wellbeing continues to vary substantially depending on gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), and age. These factors shape how young people experience school and relationships, their health and access to support, and importantly, whether they feel their voices are heard.
In particular, trans young people, students with SEND, and those eligible for free school meals report lower wellbeing and greater barriers to feeling safe, supported and included.
James Robertson, National Director of #BeeWell, commented: “The latest #BeeWell headline findings tell a largely positive story about young people’s mental health and wellbeing, with encouraging improvements in psychological wellbeing and higher levels of life satisfaction. Yet, alongside these gains, the data also highlights widening disparities and poorer outcomes for some groups of young people.
“This is why we remain committed to working closely with our partners and collaborators. Together, we can better understand what support is needed, respond to what young people are telling us, and take meaningful action. Addressing these disparities will require joined up, multiagency effort, combined with a stronger focus on prevention, early help, and targeted support for the young people who need it most.”
As with previous years, the latest findings will inform activity across the region, with schools, voluntary sector organisations, and children’s services working closely with young people to interpret and act on the results. This will continue to empower
local young people to have a voice in shaping and improving the wellbeing services and support available to them.
An interactive public dashboard is currently being refreshed with the latest data and will be available at the end of March. This will provide detailed insights into young people’s wellbeing in neighbourhoods across the region, and data for individual communities to inform decision making and evidence-led action.
Further analysis and insights are available in the #BeeWell 2025 Headline Report.