young people classified as NEET
More than one million 16–24-year-olds are outside education, employment or training pathways.
For young people aged 16–24
Hope. Opportunity. Transformation.
Tabernacle Movement is a Christian-inspired youth transformation movement helping young people aged 16–24 build purpose, confidence, resilience and pathways into opportunity.
16–24Age focus
1M+UK young people NEET
5Impact pillars
1Joined-up ecosystem
Faith in action through practical service.
The challenge
A generation is searching for identity, purpose, belonging and hope.
Across the UK, more than 1,012,000 young people aged 16–24 are currently classified as NEET — not in education, employment or training. Behind that number are young people navigating pressure around confidence, wellbeing, opportunity, community and future direction.
economically inactive
Many young people have stopped actively looking for work, often because of discouragement, instability or lack of clear pathways.
challenge
Many young people are also navigating isolation, mental health pressure, identity struggles and a lack of clear direction.
Source: Office for National Statistics, Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK: May 2026.
The deeper issue
It is not only an employment problem. It is a whole-person challenge.
Young people do not simply need information. Many need trusted relationships, safe community, practical encouragement, positive role models, skills, confidence and clear routes into meaningful opportunity.
Identity
Purpose
Belonging
Isolation
Mental wellbeing
Confidence
Leadership development
Opportunity gaps
Employment readiness
What is Tabernacle?
A bridge between hope, leadership and opportunity.
Tabernacle Movement brings together churches, businesses, charities, schools, universities, civic leaders, creatives, volunteers and young people around one shared goal: helping young people flourish.
Our work is Christian-inspired, practical in action and open in invitation. Young people and partners do not need to share our faith to take part, but we ask everyone involved to respect the values that shape the movement: dignity, compassion, integrity, service and hope.
We are not building a one-off event. We are building a joined-up ecosystem where mentoring, leadership development, practical skills, creativity, local support and opportunity pathways work together.
The gap
Good work is happening, but too often it is disconnected.
Churches, schools, employers, charities and civic organisations are all trying to support young people. Tabernacle helps connect those efforts so that young people are not left to navigate purpose, leadership, wellbeing and opportunity alone.
Hope and belonging
Young people are welcomed into environments that build confidence, community, positive identity and a renewed sense of possibility.
Leadership and resilience
Young people are developed in character, communication, emotional resilience, responsibility and influence.
Opportunity pathways
Young people are connected into mentoring, employability support, internships, apprenticeships, enterprise, creativity and community projects.
Open to all
Faith-rooted values expressed through practical action.
Tabernacle is shaped by Christian values, but its invitation is open. We welcome young people, partners and supporters from every background who share a commitment to dignity, compassion, opportunity and transformation.
Young people from every background
Young people do not have to be Christian to attend, receive support, join a programme or explore opportunities through Tabernacle.
Partners from every sector
Businesses, charities, schools, universities, civic bodies, funders and volunteers can contribute through their own expertise, resources and networks.
Shared outcomes
The focus is practical: young people gaining confidence, support, skills, mentors, community and real routes into opportunity.
Vision video
Give people a clear picture of the movement.
When your vision film is ready, replace the placeholder below with a YouTube or Vimeo embed. This space is designed to help partners, young people and community leaders understand the heart of Tabernacle quickly.
Tabernacle Vision Film
Hope. Opportunity. Transformation.
How Tabernacle works
Reach. Gather. Develop. Connect. Multiply.
The gathering is not the destination. It is the beginning. The real measure of success is lasting change in young people, families and communities.
Reach
Young people encounter the movement through churches, schools, colleges, universities, social media, youth organisations, community initiatives, sports and creative programmes, friends, family and strategic partners.
Gather
Young people and partners come together through events, mentoring spaces, local activities and shared conversations that build trust and open doors.
Develop
Young people are supported in leadership, communication, emotional resilience, relationships, career readiness, financial awareness, enterprise and creative gifts.
Connect
Through partnerships, young people are connected into mentoring, work experience, internships, apprenticeships, employment pathways, local support, creative initiatives and community projects.
Multiply
Participants grow into mentors, volunteers, peer leaders, community contributors and future builders who help support the next generation.
The flagship experience
Purpose. Power. Possibility.
The Tabernacle Gathering is the catalytic entry point into the wider movement — a three-day experience designed to build confidence, develop leadership and launch young people into possibility.
Register interestPurpose & Identity
Confidence, belonging, values, purpose discovery, character formation, wellbeing and initial mentor connections.
Power & Leadership
Leadership development, communication, work and vocation, business and career pathways, university routes, apprenticeships, civic panels and public commissioning.
Possibility & Culture
Music, creativity, cultural expression, community celebration, storytelling, partner showcases and the launch of the alumni network.
Beyond the event
A continuous ecosystem, not a one-off weekend.
After the gathering, young people should not be left inspired but unsupported. Tabernacle is designed to create active follow-up that turns motivation into support, and support into opportunity.
Mentorship cohorts
Structured support from trusted leaders, professionals and trained volunteers.
Local youth hubs
Physical spaces and partner-led environments for development, community and support.
CV & career clinics
Practical employability support, interview preparation and workplace readiness.
Internships & apprenticeships
Corporate and civic pathways that help young people access meaningful opportunities.
Church & community follow-up
Local support, pastoral care, trusted relationships, volunteering and service pathways.
Alumni network
A growing community of young leaders who return as mentors, volunteers and builders.
Impact framework
Impact is measured not only by participation, but by transformation.
Tabernacle tracks whether young people are being reached, supported, strengthened, developed, connected into opportunity and multiplied as future leaders.
Reach
Are we reaching 16–24-year-olds across churches, education, social media and community networks?
Belonging
Are young people connected to safe communities, trusted mentors and supportive relationships?
Personal growth
Are young people becoming healthier, stronger, more resilient and more confident?
Leadership
Are young leaders being developed through cohorts, projects, volunteering and civic engagement?
Opportunity
Are young people accessing internships, apprenticeships, employment, enterprise and education pathways?
Community
Are communities benefiting through volunteering, local initiatives, service and social impact?
Multiplication
Are former participants becoming mentors, volunteers and leaders who support others?
Hope & values
Purpose, positive identity, values, reflection and connection.
Personal
Confidence, resilience, character, wellbeing and belonging.
Leadership
Influence, service, responsibility and community leadership.
Economic
Skills, employment, enterprise and financial awareness.
Community
Relationships, social impact, volunteering and cultural contribution.
Partnership pathways
No single organisation can transform a generation alone.
Tabernacle is built through a connected coalition. Partners contribute from their area of expertise while supporting the wider mission of helping young people develop personally, socially, economically and in community.
Strategic
Founding Partners
Strategic organisations helping shape and establish the movement during its formative years.
- Strategic guidance
- Leadership representation
- Long-term commitment
- Advocacy and influence
Church
Church Partners
Trusted local communities providing relationship, care, youth engagement and faith-based support.
- Youth engagement
- Mentorship and small groups
- Pastoral support
- Local follow-up
Faith & community
Ministry Partners
Specialist organisations strengthening mentoring, youth support, values formation, wellbeing and mission-led service.
- Programme delivery
- Training and equipping
- Workshop contributions
- Resource development
Education
Education Partners
Schools, colleges, universities and training providers opening learning, skills development and opportunity pathways.
- Student engagement
- Skills workshops
- Research and insight
- Venue support where appropriate
Business
Business Partners
Employers and entrepreneurs helping create access to mentoring, employability, internships, apprenticeships and career pathways.
- Sponsorship
- Internships and apprenticeships
- Career mentoring
- Employment pathways
Community
Community & Charity Partners
Specialist organisations supporting wellbeing, referral pathways, community outreach and targeted youth support.
- Referral pathways
- Community outreach
- Specialist support
- Programme delivery
Civic
Government & Civic Partners
Local and regional bodies helping build sustainable systems, youth provision and opportunity pathways.
- Strategic collaboration
- Community engagement
- Programme access
- Policy alignment
Culture
Creative & Cultural Partners
Creatives, media, sport and cultural organisations using culture and storytelling to inspire and engage the next generation.
- Arts, media and music
- Workshops
- Performance opportunities
- Storytelling
Who this is for
A movement with room for every contributor.
Whether you are a young person aged 16–24, a parent, church leader, educator, employer, funder, creative, civic leader or charity worker, there is a place for you to help build the ecosystem.
You do not need to be a church or faith-based organisation to contribute. Tabernacle welcomes partners who share a commitment to young people flourishing and who respect the values and foundation of the movement.
Young people aged 16–24
Parents & families
Churches
Businesses
Schools & colleges
Universities
Charities
Civic leaders
Creatives
Volunteers
Built with accountability
Stewarding the work with clarity, excellence and care.
Tabernacle is being developed with clear leadership, youth voice, operational teams, relationship tracking, safeguarding awareness and transparent communications systems.
Safeguarding and care
Young people deserve safe, responsible and well-supported environments, especially where 16 and 17-year-olds are involved.
Young people first
Young people are active participants, contributors and future leaders shaping the movement.
Collaboration over competition
The movement exists to strengthen good work already happening and help the region serve young people together.
FAQs
Common questions about taking part.
These answers help young people, families and partners understand how Tabernacle welcomes people from many walks of life while remaining shaped by faith-rooted values.
Do I need to be Christian to take part?
No. Young people from all backgrounds are welcome to attend, receive support and explore opportunities. No young person is required to share our faith to be treated with dignity, compassion and care.
Can non-faith organisations partner with Tabernacle?
Yes. Businesses, charities, schools, universities, civic bodies, funders and creatives can partner where there is shared commitment to youth flourishing, safeguarding, integrity and positive community impact.
Is Tabernacle replacing local organisations?
No. Tabernacle exists to connect, strengthen and convene the good work already happening, not compete with it. Partners contribute their own expertise, resources and opportunity pathways.
How does Tabernacle support young people after events?
Through mentoring, youth hubs, career clinics, partner opportunities, community follow-up, volunteering pathways and a growing alumni network.
Join the movement
Together, we can build the bridge this generation deserves.
Explore partnership, request more information, invite Tabernacle into a conversation, or register your interest in upcoming gatherings.
Start a conversationContact
Tell us how you would like to connect.
Use the form to introduce yourself or your organisation. You can also email the team directly using the addresses below.