Youth leaders fearing impact of lockdown on welfare of teenagers
Youth club leaders today spoke of the ongoing challenge of their work, and their concerns that the second lockdown may negatively impact young people’s mental health.
Despite schools and colleges remaining open during the second lockdown, most youth clubs have been told to close their doors once more.
It means a vital form of face-to-face socialisation for many youngsters has been taken away from them.
As restrictions were eased, some clubs began meeting again with strict social distancing rules and keeping children in bubbles to limit contact.
Official Government guidance states that some youth services are able to continue, such as one-to-one youth work and support groups, but most youth clubs and groups have ceased until at least December 2, meaning they will have to resume online services.
With virus levels continuing to rise, there are fears that date may also be put back further.
Harley Keasey, aged 16 from Halesowen, who is chair of Dudley Youth Council said she is hopeful the group will continue its work but is concerned on the impact it will have on teenagers.
She said: “Mental health has been greatly impacted in young people over the last eight months with us not being able to see friends, family or have a consistent education.
“A second lockdown will be detrimental for some as that sense of freedom and normality will be taken away again.
“We haven’t been able to take on our usual events or give members the same opportunities online.
“However we have put together some resources for a social media campaign and kept in contact with members which was our main intention and priority at the beginning of lockdown.”
As part of Dudley Youth Council’s online work, workers have launched an online campaign for National Youth Worker Week, an annual celebration of the work done by youth workers to support young people.
Dudley Youth Council’s ‘Your Voice, But Digital’ project is a series of videos providing information on local and national topics; including knife crime, importance of youth work,Dudley Youth Award nominations and the impact of Covid-19 on young people.
Another group that has adapted to online working is Fun Club Hub, which has youth clubs in Burntwood and Lichfield in Staffordshire.
Kerry McCabe-Crowley, who co-runs the club, said: “We adapted our ways of current working during the Covid - 19 situation, and began working from home, as we have a team of young volunteers and young people who rely on us.
“Within a week we had a new way of working connecting on social media platforms from competitions, quizzes, zoom meetings, one to one support, and group work support.
“We continued to provide a weekly programme, weekly team meetings and awareness on current issues from Black Lives Matter to mental health.
“We have been flexible in our approach and the young people’s needs. Delivering three sessions of youth provision over three evenings a week whilst in lockdown, and on call seven days a week for support.
“It is not ideal not being able to see young people face to face but we can offer support online if they need to contact us.”
There are mixed opinions from young people about the decision for schools to stay open but for extra-curricular activities being forced to close.
Amman Ahmed, 16, from Dudley, said: “It is not fair young people can still go to school but not participate in youth club activities, as it’s good for socialising and mental health.”
Nital Patel, 16, also from Dudley, added: “I don’t think it’s fair because in school there are 1,000 young people socialising together and mixing and they can’t help themselves. I don’t understand why people can still go to school and socialise with so many people but not participate in youth club activities socially.”
Lydia Sharkey, 14, from Stourbridge, said: “At school you are with the same people in the same bubbles and if someone gets a positive test it isn’t just you who has to isolate.
“With youth clubs it is different as you are mixing with other people outside of your bubble.”
