Limited access to youth clubs
I read an interesting article from The Guardian Society section today about how young people have limited access to youth clubs.
According to government figures, there are an estimated 12,000 youth centres in England, yet a 2007 survey by the charity 4Children found that 80% of young people say they have “nowhere to go”. The survey revealed that in the least deprived areas of the country, there is one youth club per 6,000 young people, but in the most deprived areas, there are more than 14,000 children per club.
While the article predictably focuses on government investment in youth provision, there are some more interesting parts such as the tension between voluntary agencies and local government, transport issues for young people, and the perceived role of a youth club:
Most significantly, modern youth clubs are no longer just about entertainment. Aiming High argues that modern centres should also provide top class opportunities for young people to develop their skills, access health and social services, build self-esteem, and access housing and careers advice.
Correct me if I’m wrong here, but youth clubs have never been about entertainment! From the earliest inceptions of youth work in the country, it has been motivated by a desire to provide education and welfare services to young people. Check out this infed article on the history of youth work for a more detailed account.
Anyway, go check out the article here.
Thanks to @markbarkaway via twitter
