More enriching activities for hundreds of thousands of children
The UK government is investing £132.5 million to expand enrichment activities for disadvantaged young people, aiming to halve the participation gap by 2035 through tailored school support and new benchmarks.
The government will invest £132.5 million to fund enrichment activities for hundreds of thousands of young people in disadvantaged communities, including sports, music, debating, and outdoor learning. Over 400 secondary schools will receive tailored support to broaden opportunities during and after school hours, addressing gaps identified by the State of the Nation survey of 14,000 young people. The funding aims to build confidence, skills, and a sense of belonging, reducing the risk of young people becoming not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Schools will align their programmes with new Enrichment Benchmarks to ensure high-quality experiences for all pupils.
The Enrichment Expansion Programme is part of the Youth Matters Strategy, launched in December, which commits to halving the participation gap in enriching activities by 2035. Delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with the Department for Education, the initiative includes dedicated Enrichment Coordinators to identify local gaps and develop enrichment plans for schools. The programme also expands Young Futures Hubs and supports the £132.5 million Every Child Can initiative to increase access to high-quality activities.
Five Enrichment Ambassadors, representing arts, sport, nature, civic engagement, and life skills, will work alongside government to champion participation and showcase effective practices. The Youth Sport Trust and national partners will deliver the programme, collaborating with schools to strengthen enrichment provision and connect with local organisations. The initiative builds on the government’s mission to ensure every young person has access to safe spaces, trusted adults, and enriching experiences that foster confidence and ambition.
Schools like Hatcham College and Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South have welcomed the framework, highlighting enrichment as central to their character development curricula. The programme aims to make enrichment an entitlement rather than a privilege, supporting attendance, behaviour, and academic achievement while helping young people discover new interests and skills.