Facilities For The Youth

fig. 8 – Importance of facilities for
youth in the parish

As well as covering some issues that affect the younger generation in the main questionnaire, we also sent out a separate questionnaire, to be filled in exclusively by those under 19. In addition, a separate meeting was held after the questionnaires had been returned, to allow the youngsters to voice their opinion on the results.

Only one question on the main survey related specifically to youth, but given that this gives a good impression of what the rest of the population considers is important for the youngsters, it’s worth looking at first.

As fig. 8 shows, 67% of the population feel that the 11-19 age-group are the ones most in need of extra facilities, whilst a youth centre, for all ages, is also seen as important. Teenage vandalism has been a problem in the village recently, most notably around the new sports pavilion, and one of the causes for this may be that there is very little for teenagers to do in Parson Drove.

Interestingly, looking at the same question, but split into different age groups or sections of the population, gives some very different results. In those households where there is a family, 87% feel the 11-19 group need more facilities and 75% support more for the 5-11 year-olds, as well. Virtually all of those under 20, that answered this question, want more in the village for the 11-19 age-group. As the age of the respondent increases, the perceived need drops away. For those over 60, a youth centre is the most important item (62%) and only 60% feel that facilities for the 11-19 year-olds should be improved.

In a similar vein to the facilities for the older generation in the next section, perception changes across both age groups and those that actually use the facilities in question. Unsurprising perhaps, but the overwhelming support for extra facilities amongst those that would use them cannot be ignored here, even if the overall result indicates less (but still significant) support.

Continued...