NCB Now: Comment -- Teenagers need better holiday activities

Aside from channelling young people's natural energy, taking part in cultural, community and sporting programmes helps young people to gain practical life skills beyond those that can be taught. "Learning through doing" increases the prospect of improved educational and professional achievements. At the same time it reduces the likelihood of young people engaging in high risk behaviours or being involved in crime. Simply put, "something to do" can help them to broaden their horizons, keep healthy, develop their skills and talents, and strengthen community life.

However, young people face many barriers to engaging in activities, including costly and unreliable transport and expensive entry charges to some facilities. Research indicates that 24 per cent of disadvantaged young people in Britain are not able to make use of what is available to them. Moreover, young people use what is currently on offer less as they grow older. Eighty-one per cent of 14-year-olds, for example, participate in positive activities, which reduces to 53 per cent for 18-year-olds. It is imperative that what is provided reflects the aspirations and preferences of all young people as they grow older.