The Voice of Young People A Perspective of our Needs

Assessment of Need Regional Assessment of Need 2017 – 2020 Regional Assessment of Need Addendum 2018 Available to download from www.eani.org.uk/youth

Gaps in information Voice and Needs of Rural Young People Voice and Needs LGBTQ Young People

Rural Needs Research Statistics

% Young People Living in Rural Areas Northern Ireland

% Young People Living in Rural Areas by Council

No. Young People Living in Rural Areas by Council

Rural Needs Research Desktop Research

Desktop Research Lower Levels of Income Higher Levels of unemployment Weakness in skills & human capital A lack of opportunities, particularly, for women and young people (European Commission)

Desktop Research Household Deprivation Opportunity Deprivation Mobility Deprivation The accumulation of these different forms of deprivation can lead to isolation and marginalisation of particular groups in rural areas, particularly young people (J.M. Shaw “Rural Deprivation and Planning”)

Stakeholder Engagement Rural Needs Research Stakeholder Engagement

Young People Focus Groups Rural Isolation Event Newry Youth & Resource Centre Cheers Youth Club, Ballymoney Cookstown Youth & Resource Centre Magherafelt Youth Club St. Patrick’s Youth Club, Keady Rural Isolation Event Finvoy, Ballymoney

Youth Workers and Leaders Telephone and face to face interviews were conducted with a number of youth workers and leaders from the Controlled and Voluntary sectors.

Rural Needs Research Key Issues

Transport Public transport links were infrequent and there was a general lack of service availability. Especially at weekends. Public transport was expensive. Lack of public transport negatively impacted on their recreational or social activities, especially in winter. Young people dependent on parents for lifts to services and activities. Families without access to a car were particularly disadvantaged. Cycling and walking to activities or events was considered to be dangerous as roads were narrow and footpaths not always available

Social Isolation Common of having nothing to do. Social isolation was linked to poor transport and digital technology access. Many mentioned boredom as an issue and the perpetual feeling of loneliness. Very few specifically mentioned mental health as an issue, however youth workers stated that the lack of anything to do and the sense of loneliness did have a negative mental health impact on the more vulnerable young people.

Services The majority of young people noted that sporting clubs and activities were available to them and provided a valuable social outlet. Youth Services, where they were available were praised for the activities and programmes they provided. However, in most cases young people complained that they were only available for a limited time during the week and never at the weekend. Female respondents noted that there were no opportunities to participate in cultural activities and noted that the sporting clubs were geared more for boys. Accessing services and activities in towns was not an option to many as transport links rendered them inaccessible.

Anti-Social Behaviour The lack of having nothing to do had some young people to become involved in some aspects of anti-social behaviour and risk taking behaviour. This was not prevalent everywhere but where it occurred involved some the following: Underage drinking. Drug taking. Underage driving.

Broadband Lack of infrastructure and access to digital technology, inadequate broadband and mobile telephone coverage. This could impact on their education as young people were unable to send homework, access coursework or other online educational resources and materials. Lack of choice in service provider and inability to access offers which others living in town could access. Unable to communicate with friends via social media, play interactive online games or download music and films which others took for granted. Perception of a digital divide and that nothing was being done about making access in rural areas better.