As of now, Kent County Council has 12 youth clubs and seven which offer youth club services. Youth club services involve activities that help install a sense of belonging in young people, build their confidence and give them an opportunity to learn skills and be ambitious. Across the UK, there are approximately 8,500 youth clubs and research shows that in richer areas there is an increase in youth services. In 2021, a survey was conducted and found that those in the 10% more deprived areas have half as much access to youth clubs as those in the 10% more wealthy areas. The council has recently announced cuts of £900,000 to youth clubs in November of 2023 and announced that all subsidies would be ended.
Youth clubs are increasingly important to Kent as they help lower rates of poverty and criminality in later life. Studies shows that young people who attend youth clubs have a higher attendance rate; are less likely to drink alcohol and take drugs; are more inclined to attend university and overall have a greater health- both physical and mental. In 2023, Kent County Council found that about 18% of children under the age of 16 have “absolute low-income families” in Thanet, which is the lowest in Kent. Thanet now has approximately 5 youth clubs compared to Surrey, one of the richest areas in the UK that is in affiliation with 80-100 youth-based clubs. This shows the clear lack of youth clubs in Kent.
Youth clubs can also make a drastic improvement to young people’s lives in many other ways. For example, most youth clubs around the country offer opportunities to complete qualifications which can boost their skills and chances of employment. If there isn’t funding or places to complete this, the youth of Kent is at an unfair disadvantage compared to other richer counties. Some of these qualifications involve the arts award; Duke of Edinburgh award; Basic First Aid qualification and Food Hygiene qualification.
Consequently, it is clear how youth clubs have a great impact upon a young person and its crucial role implementing skills and ambition in them. Youth clubs should be available for all young people, both in the more affluent and the more deprived areas of Kent as they install confidence and belonging in those who attend. They help reduce crime and poverty, resulting in a better, safer community for all.
