Interim findings of a national inquiry into young people give a stark warning of how society is letting a generation of teenagers down - leading to gang violence, unsafe communities, and attacks on young people through a lack of opportunities, activities and places to go.
14 March 2007
OONA KING YOUTH INQUIRY CALLS FOR MEASURES TO HELP TEENAGERS BREAK CYCLE OF VIOLENCE
Mass youth lobby of parliament and presentation of report to Downing Street
Interim findings of a national inquiry into young people are released this morning (14 March). They give a stark warning of how society is letting a generation of teenagers down - leading to gang violence, unsafe communities, and attacks on young people through a lack of opportunities, activities and places to go.
Including the views of more than 7,000 young people over the last six months, in one of the largest ever national consultations, the Make Space Youth Review is run by charity 4Children and supported by Nestlé. Chaired by broadcaster and political campaigner Oona King, the Youth Review provides real insights into the lives of teenagers and makes radical recommendations for change including:
• A national programme of new style youth centres in every community – offering a place for young people to meet, socialize, take part in activities and get specialist support and volunteering opportunities
• Support and training for the youth service workforce to develop a new group of Youth Champions to inspire young people in the community
• Right for parents to request flexible working arrangements to enable them to spend more time with their teenage children
• Mobile Intervention Teams to work in areas of high deprivation and unrest – offering teenage offenders help, support and positive alternatives
• Young Mayors elected in every area to give teenagers a say in their community
Oona King said: “The recent spate of gun crimes against young people sends an urgent message that something must be done before we lose a generation of teenagers. Young people are getting a bad deal from society.This limits their opportunities, creates alienation and leads to violence and disorder. Our consultation shows that young people are fearful for their own safety, they have few safe places to go and very little to do every day.
“We invest on average 17 pence per young person per day on youth services. It’s time we decided, as a society, whether we support teenagers or ignore them. We have to build young people back into communities. Not doing this costs us billions dealing with the consequences of anti-social behaviour, crime and violence and even more in the emotional consequences of a dispossessed generation of teenagers.”
Key findings from the Make Space Youth Review consultation showed that the top two concerns for teenagers which emerged from the findings were:
• Fears for their own personal safety and a demand for more help from adults. Evidence shows that young people are twice as likely as other age groups to become the victims of violent crime in their community.
• Demands for safe places in the community to spend leisure time with new opportunities and activities. The report found that for many teenagers time outside school is unstructured and chaotic in circumstances that are often unsafe.
The Make Space Youth Review report is being launched today (14 March) with a presentation of the findings to the Chancellor Gordon Brown outside 11 Downing Street and a demonstration outside Parliament by over 100 young people, Oona King and Make Space Youth Review members where young people will lobby their MPs. This is followed by a launch of the Interim Findings at a seminar in the House of Commons (media welcome).
Key findings from the consultation include:
Young people are afraid for their personal safety:
• The most common concerns amongst young people include bullying (34%) and crime (26%)
• More than two-thirds of 11-16 year olds said they had seen at least one instance of anti-social behaviour over the last year.
“I feel a lot of us have grown up in areas where we see crime every day, so we are not really registering whether it is right or wrong. I haven’t registered it in my brain that I’m committing crime until around six months later when I’ve thought ‘damn, I regret this’. I think a lot of us teenagers are just depressed.” 18 year old from Birmingham
Young people actively want safe places to go:
• 68% said teenagers in their area were more likely to cause disruption when bored
• 46% of young people reported that they spend time regularly ‘just hanging around’
• 69% complained that there is not enough to do in their local area
• 34% regularly returned from school to an empty home
“When we finish school there’s nothing to do since they closed off the park for younger kids. Usually I stay out with mates and we hang out by the off license until it gets late, we don’t want to cause trouble. If we make noise it’s because we’re just doing our thing.” young man aged 15 from Wakefield
Young people want support from their communities
• 71% would welcome more contact with independent adults, not teachers or family members, but people who can provide support with issues and problems
• 82% expressed an enthusiasm for volunteering
• 79% said they would welcome a community mentor
For copies of the Make Space Youth Review Interim Findings report go online to www.makespace.org.uk
ENDS
For more information contact:
Katherine Abbott
Head of Communications
4Children
Tel: 020 7522 6928
Email: Katherine.abbott@4Children.org.uk
Out of hours mobile: 07766 112 677
Contact the Make Space helpline on 020 7522 6960 or email information@makespace.org.uk
Notes to Editor:
The Make Space Youth Review consulted over 7,000 teenagers via roadshows across England. Youth work professionals, teachers, police officers, social service officials and politicians were also consulted. These results, as well as original evidence from Make Space studies with Local Authorities and the Institute of Education all added to the interim findings report released today.
The Make Space Youth Review is calling for key support including a network of new integrated youth centres or hubs. These so called ‘Sure Start for older children’ centres would bring together ,social activities, health information and support, dance, music, and sport activities, classes, advice services and parental support. With a centre in every community, teenagers would be able to take part in activities and socialise with inspirational new youth champions on hand to act as mentors. Parents too would benefit as centres would open for teenagers at times parents are working. Centres would also offer advice and specialist programmes for those parents who need more help with their teenagers.”
Make Space is a £3 million national campaign, supported by Nestlé in partnership with 4Children, working to ensure a positive future for teenagers. It aims to create a network of 3,000 clubs by 2010 for young people aged 11 – 16. Make Space clubs are designed as young people would like them, providing a place to go, things to do and opening doors to new opportunities. For more information on Make Space visit www.makespace.org.uk or call the helpline on 0207 522 6960 or email information@makespace.org.uk
The Make Space Youth Review was launched in July with a call for evidence. The Review will report back in July 2007 with clear conclusions and recommendations. Coming at a time of unprecedented change for young people, families and communities, the Youth Review is taking stock, asking young people, parents, employers, and communities what is needed, looking at what is available and looking to the future.
Members include:
Flo Armstrong – Local authority youth
Graeme Cooke – Public policy researcher
Charlotte Edwards – Young person and Make Space Club member
Isatou Faal – Young person and Make Space Club member
Leon Feinstein – Expert in the impact of learning
Professor Helen Haste – Expert in psychology and young people
Oona King, Co-Chair - Writer, broadcaster and campaigner; Co-Chair
Anne Longfield, OBE – Pioneer in childcare and youth policy
Viv McKee – National youth delivery
Mary MacLeod – Parenting
Lord Northbourne – Family policy
Pip O’Byrne - Preventative and early intervention services specialist
Wilf Petherbridge, Co-Chair – Young Mayor of Lewisham, Co-Chair
Ian Rayson – Corporate affairs and media relations specialist
4Children is the national charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for all children. It aspires to ensure that all children, young people and families have access to a creative, safe and child focused environment, and activities. 4Children provides an information line for parents and childcare professionals with advice and support on all aspects of childcare, including details of out of school clubs in your area. Information line 020 7522 6960 or visit our website at www.4Children.org.uk
Nestlé is one of the leading food manufacturers in the UK. The company is a member of the Per Cent club donating 1% of pre-tax profits to charity and has supported 4Children since 1996.
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