MORE than one-fifth of 16 to 25-year-olds in Greater Manchester have said that they "are unable to cope with life during the pandemic", a report has revealed.

The Prince's Trust has found half of young people in the city-region say their health has worsened, while 52per cent frequently feel anxious.

Two-thirds reported feeling like they were "missing out on being young".

It also revealed that 62per cent felt getting a new job was impossible as there's so much competition.

The Prince’s Trust Tesco Youth Index, conducted by YouGov, gauges young people’s happiness and confidence levels across a range of areas, from their working life to their physical and mental health.

The trust is supporting young people by delivering the Future Workforce Fund in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

It supports young people, particularly those who are not in education, employment or training, to build their confidence and skills for work,

Kamil Brooklyn from Walkden, has been supported by The Trust during the pandemic. Kamil, 29, said: “Normally, if I was struggling with my depression and social anxiety I would go into the city centre and talk to people, look for ideas for new jobs, and show my face, but in lockdown I can’t.

“The pandemic affected my social anxiety and the winter lockdown has just been horrible, I think the weather is affecting everyone.

"I’m really grateful The Prince’s Trust was offering online support and were able to help point me in the direction of jobs that were actually going. I knew I wasn’t ready to go straight into another job though, because some days my mental health meant I couldn’t leave the house.”

Andrew Ridge, deputy director of the North at The Prince’s Trust said: “We have all faced difficulties over the past 12 months, but the pandemic has taken a devastating toll on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

"They have faced a disrupted education, a shrinking jobs market and isolation from their friends and loved ones, and as a result, too many are losing all hope for the future. As ever, it is unemployed young people – and those with few qualifications and little confidence – who are worst affected.”