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Mental health, affordable transport and crime are among the top concerns for Gateshead’s youth, a report has found.
Following 20 focus groups delivered through eight volunteer and charity organisations with a total of 225 young people, the major issues facing Gateshead’s youth have been identified. According to a report from charity Connected Voice, the affordability and regularity of buses, violent crime and mental health issues, among others, are troubling local youngsters.
Connected Voice’s report said: “The safety of young people, both in public spaces and within their communities emerged as a primary concern. Issues such as bullying, knife crime, and the fear of being mugged were regularly mentioned.”
Young people have called for increased security presence on public transport and in community areas as well as prevention programmes for knife crime. This comes following a Northumbria Police crackdown on knife crime late last year, including the installation of knife bins across the North East, where people could dispose of dangerous bladed weapons.
“The issue of transport was frequently mentioned,” Connected Voice’s report continued, “with children and young people identifying difficulties in accessing public transport due to cost and availability”. Young people also called for improved travel arrangements for the disabled and concerns over safety when travelling at night.
With regards to mental health, the report found the issues “consistently emerged as one of the top concerns and priority areas across all groups, regardless of age or specific demographic”. Many of the children and young people surveyed also stated anxiety and stress were made worse by academic pressures and poverty.
Young people called for mental health counsellors in youth clubs and community spaces, and better access to mental health resources in times of crisis. They also highlighted “gaps” in current youth provision through more calls for spaces and places to relax.
Gateshead Council’s families overview and scrutiny committee will meet next Thursday to discuss and debate the report.
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