When the Prime Minister recently announced £22.5 million for after-school clubs to reduce screen time, the headline sounded like good news. More opportunities for young people to engage. The Prime Minister’s announcement of £22.5 million for after-school clubs to tackle the “worrying trend” of children spending too much time on screens has sparked interest and optimism.
Yes, young people are spending more time online, and too often, it’s passive consumption. But the deeper challenge is what that time is displacing: opportunities for connection, skill-building, and purpose. The risk is greatest for those without easy access to enrichment, young people in low-income households, with caring responsibilities, or from communities where after-school options are limited. For these groups, the gap in opportunity translates into a gap in life chances. Funding can help close that gap if it’s used to design programmes that actively develop the skills and confidence employers are crying out for.
It’s a positive step, but like any policy announcement, the value will depend entirely on how it’s implemented. On the surface, after-school provision offers a powerful opportunity to change lives. These hours after the school bell are often where confidence is built, passions are discovered, and crucial life skills are learned. But for this funding to have a real, lasting impact, it needs to be designed with a clear purpose: to prepare young people for their futures, not just fill their time.
The current picture
Research shows that youth participation in structured activities has been declining, particularly among lower-income families. The cost of living crisis has hit extracurricular provision hard, with many parents unable to pay for clubs, lessons, or sports. In some areas, opportunities simply don’t exist, and where they do, access can be patchy.
At the same time, employers across every sector are reporting the same thing: a widening skills gap in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and self-management. These aren’t “nice to haves”; they’re the skills that underpin employability and career progression.
Who benefits most
The greatest impact from this funding could come for those who need it most, the young people who currently lack access to enriching, confidence-building experiences. These are often the same teenagers who have fewer networks, less exposure to different careers, and lower chances of securing work experience.
Without careful planning, though, funding risks being absorbed by programmes that simply replicate existing provision, attracting those already well-served. This would widen, not close, the opportunity gap.
Designing with purpose
At Startup Sherpas, we work with 13–to 19-year-olds from all backgrounds, giving them the chance to take on real work with real impact. We see first-hand that after-school time, when used well, can:
- Develop transferable life and work skills through hands-on projects
- Build social confidence and resilience by collaborating with peers
- Inspire ambition by connecting with professionals and role models
- Show the link between learning and the world beyond school gates
- Create measurable social value by reducing the risk of future unemployment or underemployment
This is why we believe the £22.5m should be channelled into experiences that are:
- Skill-rich: embedding communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in every activity
- Career-connected: introducing young people to different sectors, industries, and pathways
- Inclusive: actively removing barriers for disadvantaged young people to participate
- Purpose-driven: linking activities to wider community, environmental, or social goals
From screens to skills
Yes, reducing screen time matters. But the real opportunity here is to ensure that the time spent off-screen is invested in something that truly prepares young people for life and work.
The choice is between providing a short-term distraction and creating a long-term foundation.
Our mission
Our mission is to support one million young people to confidently enter the workforce. We equip them with the essential, practical skills, like communication, collaboration, and teamwork that employers value most, and help them connect their passions to possible careers. We also ensure they can adapt to change, thrive in unfamiliar situations, and contribute meaningfully to the communities and workplaces they join.
This funding announcement could be a turning point for after-school provision. But its impact will be defined not by the size of the pot, but by the vision behind how it’s spent.
If you’re designing, funding, or delivering after-school activities under this scheme, let’s work together to make them purposeful, inclusive, and transformative. Because the future of our young people, and the social value they bring, is worth more than just keeping them busy.
(Source: Schools Week)