Youth clubs key to children's wellbeing, finds survey

A survey conducted by Berkshire Youth has found that 82 per cent of children and young people who attend youth groups are happy, compared to 74 per cent of non-youth club users.

The survey also found that 46 per cent of children and young people who attend youth groups worry about their future, lower than the 57 per cent of non-youth club users.

In addition, 70 per cent of the 680 young people aged eight- to 18-years-olds surveyed said they had volunteered in some way in an attempt to give something back to their local communities.

David Seward, chief executive of Berkshire Youth, said the findings affirmed the importance of youth work. “It demonstrates the worth and value of youth clubs and Berkshire Youth’s ambition to help young people realise their full potential,” he said.

“The survey findings also highlight the many positive things young people do for their communities and the high percentage that volunteer at youth clubs, charities and schools across the region to help others.”

Joanna Birch-Phaure, communications manager at UK Youth, said the findings highlight the need to protect youth clubs from local government budget cuts.

She said: “The survey is a huge reminder why funding cuts to youth services are so short-sighted. Youth clubs provide healthy, positive activities for young people, increasing their health, wellbeing, aspirations and engagement levels.”

Similarly, Fiona Blacke, chief executive of the National Youth Agency, said: “Youth work offers young people safe spaces to explore their identity, increase their confidence and think through the consequences of their actions.

“Increasing demands on shrinking budgets mean open access youth work, of this type seen in youth clubs, has largely been neglected in favour of targeted provision for the few.

“My hope is that when the widespread benefits of youth clubs start to be recognised once again – and let’s hope it starts here – we’ll have the workforce to make it happen.”