In our previous report – ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ – we documented the wellbeing crisis facing young Britons today. We found that 59% of 16-24 year olds experience periods of poor wellbeing and 34% feel dissatisfied with their lives.

Businesses are uniquely positioned to address this challenge by fostering a culture where young people can thrive – a strategy that will yield significant benefits for both employees and organisations.

Built around the framework of the Four Energies Model, we argue that to help young employees establish meaningful and fulfilling lives, businesses should cultivate;

Purpose Energy: Bringing company values to life and making space for meaningful activities that provide a sense of direction.

Intellectual Energy: Creating a culture of learning and giving young people real responsibility to foster confidence and innovation.


Emotional Energy: Building baseline resilience with proactive mental health support and encouraging senior leaders to set the tone by openly discussing their own wellbeing.

People Energy: Prioritising relationships in the workplace to combat loneliness and promote social connection.

By adopting these actionable strategies, businesses can better support young employees’ wellbeing while enhancing retention, satisfaction and overall organisational success.