Founder of Stradishall charity YOPEY examines the impact of Covid on the younger generation in a new publication

The founder of a west Suffolk charity has written a digital publication that he hopes will help young people get over the pandemic.

Tony Gearing MBE has written ‘Your Kids Are NOT Covid’s Lost Generation’ which is available online for a donation to YOPEY, the young people’s charity that he runs from his Stradishall home.

The publication is based on interviews with young adults who have overcome major tragedies, obstacles and setbacks in their lives.

Tony, who was made an MBE for ’services to young people in the UK’ in 2017, said: “During the pandemic I became aware of many young people being harmed mentally by coronavirus.

“They were much less likely to become sick from Covid-19 or to die from the disease than older generations, but they missed their friends and feared for their futures.

“With their education disrupted, many worried they would never achieve the goals they had set themselves and for some dream careers became out of reach.

“Their reaction wasn’t a surprise. For the vast majority of young people the pandemic was the worst thing to happen in their lives so far. It was no wonder their mental health was affected badly.”

Research confirmed young people’s mental health was being damaged by the pandemic and some of the media began describing young people as ‘Covid’s Lost Generation’.

Tony said: “I didn’t want this unfair description to get them down too.”

While nowadays YOPEY runs befriending schemes between schools and care homes, Tony used to run Young People of the Year campaigns where he would highlight young people who were doing good in their communities and make them positive role models for others to follow.

“I thought ‘I bet some past Young People of the Year have overcome higher hurdles than coronavirus’ so I got back in touch and asked them ‘what is the worst thing to have happened in your life?’ Very few mentioned covid.

“Their stories of amazing resilience and determination make inspiring reading for anybody, but particularly young people who were damaged mentally during the lockdowns and may still be fearing for their futures.

“If you know someone like that, please buy them a copy. You will also be supporting our befriending schemes in East Anglia.”

Since the first lockdown, YOPEY Befrienders, as the young people who volunteer with YOPEY are called, have been writing letters and making activities for care home residents to enjoy.

Through YOPEY, young people from East Anglia are now supporting elderly residents in 2,000 care homes nationwide.

The charity hopes to return to face-to-face visits in a few Suffolk care homes this autumn.

Tony added: “The publication’s message is simple – you will overcome. I hope it will reassure many young people.”

‘Your Kids Are NOT Covid’s Lost Generation’ can be downloaded from the good cause supporting website GivenGain.com for a minimum donation of £1.