Youth Wellbeing Insights from #BeeWell

John Smith

So, let’s talk about the #BeeWell survey—this massive project that’s been digging into the wellbeing of young people. Over 63,100 kids across Greater Manchester and HIPS have taken part. That’s one of the biggest exercises of its kind. It’s really remarkable when you think about it.

Jennifer Jones

Absolutely. I mean, we’re talking about data that gives us a direct line into how young people across these areas are feeling, thinking, and thriving—or struggling. It’s not just surface-level stuff either. Life satisfaction, mental wellbeing, emotional difficulties—all of it is there. And the numbers? Consistent life satisfaction scores over the years is one thing, but the real standout from this year is optimism. Did you see that? 83% of Year 10 students said they feel hopeful about their future in 2023.

John Smith

Yeah, that’s a big leap, especially compared to scores from the pandemic years. But, while hope is improving, it’s not all good news, is it? The data’s also showing some really concerning disparities, particularly among certain groups.

Jennifer Jones

Oh, absolutely. Like, LGBTQ+ young people? Their emotional wellbeing scores are just heartbreaking. The proportion of kids in these groups dealing with serious emotional struggles—feeling unhappy, worrying, not sleeping—it’s way higher than average. And let’s not forget the gender gap either. Girls report significantly more emotional difficulties than boys.

John Smith

Yeah, those inequalities really jump out. I mean, it’s not just a small difference—it’s stark. And when you see that hope and optimism scores are climbing for most groups, but these young people are still facing the emotional challenges they are... It's a clear call for targeted support.

Jennifer Jones

Exactly. And the thing is, surveys like this don’t just highlight the problems—they give us actionable insights. Schools, local councils, even community groups—they can all respond with a plan. And that’s the beauty of #BeeWell, isn’t it? It’s about listening to young people but also taking their story forward, making things better.

John Smith

Right. And we’re just scratching the surface here. The deeper you dig into the data, the more these disparities start to tell their own story.

Jennifer Jones

Speaking of those stark inequalities, let’s focus on one of the most eye-opening findings—the gender gap in emotional wellbeing. You’ve got 22% of cisgender girls reporting high levels of emotional difficulties. Compare that to just 6% of cisgender boys. That’s… well, it’s a huge difference.

John Smith

It’s staggering, really. And it’s not just a difference—it’s a pattern. Over the years, we’ve consistently seen girls, particularly teenagers, falling into this emotional struggle zone. And it’s not just the emotional scores—remember, physical health and social habits reflect this disparity too.

Jennifer Jones

And we can’t ignore LGBTQ+ young people here. Their scores are, frankly, heartbreaking. Nearly half of them report feeling like they’re facing discrimination—and it’s not just occasional. It’s pervasive. The emotional toll is immense.

John Smith

Exactly. And what’s scary is that discrimination is almost woven into their daily experiences. Ethnic minority young people are in a similar boat. Nearly half overall report experiencing discrimination, but for young Black or Chinese kids? The numbers climb to around 70%.

Jennifer Jones

It’s heartbreaking because no one should have to deal with feeling marginalized like that—especially not young people. And if you think about how that kind of social exclusion affects not just mental, but even physical health?

John Smith

That’s where physical activity—or the lack of it—ties in, isn’t it? Only 39% of kids are meeting that one hour a day goal set by the Chief Medical Officers. That’s less than half.

Jennifer Jones

And for girls, it’s worse, right? Drops to just three in ten. And if we’re looking at LGBTQ+ youth—it’s even lower. I mean, this physical inactivity—it’s not just a stat. It’s deeply tied to mental wellbeing and their quality of life overall.

John Smith

Yeah, there’s a cascading effect here. Less physical activity—worse mental health—fewer opportunities to connect or feel capable. It’s a vicious cycle. And the data’s a glaring call to break out of it.

Jennifer Jones

Coming off that stark reality we’ve just laid out—the inequalities, the inactivity, the emotional struggles—it might feel overwhelming. But here’s what’s amazing: #BeeWell isn’t about stopping at the stats. It’s a program built for action, for creating real change.

John Smith

Exactly. And one really tangible example is those customized dashboards they provide to schools. You’ve got this goldmine of insights delivered straight to where it matters most—in the hands of educators who can make real changes.

Jennifer Jones

Totally. I mean, imagine being a headteacher and finally having the data you need to tailor your school’s wellbeing strategy. It’s like being handed a roadmap for supporting your students better. And it doesn’t just stay on a level of theory either—schools are embedding this data into their actual classroom practices.

John Smith

Exactly right. Remember that case in Greater Manchester where a school revamped its personal development curriculum? They used their dashboard to tackle areas where students were struggling, and the result? Better engagement, better outcomes. That’s what happens when you make decisions based on what the data is actually telling you.

Jennifer Jones

And they’re not just stopping with schools either. The funding for youth-led action plans? That’s another brilliant piece of the puzzle. Letting young people lead the charge in their communities—it’s such a powerful way to both empower them and deliver meaningful change.

John Smith

Yeah, and that’s key, isn’t it? The data doesn’t just sit there. It’s being turned into initiatives and programs that are rooted in the lived experiences of young people. Honestly, it’s putting them in the driver’s seat, which is how it should be.

Jennifer Jones

Oh, and we can’t forget the next big thing—the launch of the interactive neighbourhood dashboard in March. This is going to let communities see exactly what’s happening in their local area. It feels like such a game-changer for keeping everyone engaged, doesn’t it?

John Smith

Couldn’t agree more. It’s bringing transparency and focus to the conversation, and hopefully, it helps drive even more collaboration at the grassroots level.

Jennifer Jones

Collaboration really is the word, isn’t it? I think that’s what makes #BeeWell stand out. It’s about connecting the dots between data, action, and outcomes. And it’s doing it in a way that genuinely centers the voices of young people.

John Smith

Yeah, and for me, it comes back to that sense of hope. The challenges are real, no doubt about it. But programs like this? They’re proof that change is possible. It’s been a great conversation today.

Jennifer Jones

Absolutely. And for everyone listening, thank you for joining us as we’ve unpacked just a slice of the #BeeWell story. On that note, we’ll see you next time.