Lena hopes to find a stable job with a good salary to afford her own place and reduce financial worries. Lena is working as a support worker and hopes to transition into social work. However, she fears she won't be able to save enough for a master's degree in social work due to high costs and lack of funding, which could hinder her career progress. Housing affordability is another concern, as both renting and buying a home seem unrealistic with the current cost of living crisis. Lena believes changes in government policies and funding for education and housing are necessary to improve her situation and those of others. She emphasizes the need for better financial support for postgraduate education, especially for essential careers like social work and nursing. Additionally, she highlights the importance of making housing more affordable and accessible. In her community, Lena is actively involved in the Polish Catholic Centre, volunteering at events that bring people together and support each other. She values the sense of community and mutual support. At university, she participated in projects like ‘Belonging and Mattering’ to make the institution more welcoming for students. Lena encourages others to get involved in community activities for personal growth and to make a positive impact on others.
This story was gathered by a youth advocate from the Equality Trust as part of a project called Reconstructing the Social Contract. 10 young people trained as community reporters and spoke to people aged between 16 and 25 in the United Kingdom to explore what impacts young people's life chances and their relationship with the state.