According to a recent survey young people in Easingwold and the surrounding villages want to be more active but are being held back by a shortage of money, problems with transport and not enough things to do or places to meet near their homes.
Students at Easingwold School completed an anonymous online survey organised by the newly-formed Easingwold Youth Provider’s Network (EYPN), a forum of mainly voluntary organisations that provide youth services in the area.
The results, which give the first ever snapshot of young people’s attitudes to the activities and facilities available in the Easingwold area, have led to a call for more adult volunteers to step forward.
Despite the popular criticism that youngsters are lazy and don’t do anything, the survey shows that eight out of ten local young people want to be more active in their spare time and say there should be more for them to do close to where they live.
More than half of the youngsters, who were randomly selected for the survey, want to do outdoor activities, while approximately one in five would like to be able to play table tennis, or pool and have computers and electronic games available. And one in ten said that they would like to volunteer to help other people.
“A lack of money and available transport are significant problems,” said Gerard Tubb, Chairman of Easingwold Scout District.
“With most youngsters saying the cost of things they want do causes problems at home.
“Most of them said that they would like to go on an adventurous outdoor activity during the summer holidays, such as climbing or canoeing, but one in five thought that if the trip cost £20 they would not be allowed to go. And half felt that they have missed out on trips and activities because they were too far away or they could not get a lift.
“Today’s young people are also being held back by their parents’ concerns about safety. Several said they would be stopped from taking part in activities because their parents were either “too protective” or would have concerns about the adults involved.”
The results of the survey will be used to try to increase local youth services and remove some of the barriers preventing young people from taking part. Anyone who would like to discuss volunteering or wants to know more about the Easingwold Youth Providers’ Network can call Adele Wilson on 01609 532223 or by email at adele.wilson@northyorks.gov.uk.