A new report by UK Youth and SQW into the barriers and enablers to participation in youth activities is now available via DCMS.
It says:
- Young people benefit from participation in activities, including groups and clubs, volunteering and social action. But not all young people do participate
- Young people are less likely to participate in youth groups and clubs as they grow older, but more likely to participate in volunteering
- Only 26% of females aged 16-19, who live in a deprived area and are in receipt of free school meals, participate in a youth group or club
- Around 90% of males and females aged 10-12 in the least deprived areas who are not in receipt of free school meals participate.
- Motivation: Enjoyment is a particularly important, followed by developing skills.
- Barriers: The most frequently cited factors that prevented participation were:
- lack of interest
- being too busy with other commitments
- preference to do other things
- cost
- not having anyone to go with
- too shy / lack confidence
- difficulty getting there
- lack of awareness
- Drop-out: The reasons that young people stop participating in youth activities fall into six broad categories:
- issues with an activity
- changes to an activity
- the impact of the pandemic
- life changes
- transition points
- age-related factors