Consultation and Engagement
This section is used to summarise the views of the public, dedicated groups and service users. It can make use of formal assessment of views, such as obtained from surveys, feedback meetings and focus groups.
Strategic Issue 1
There is not consultation and engagement on self-harm in young people.
Strategic Issue 2
Regarding children in lower income families there is some consultation and engagement from residents through Hartlepool’s Big Conversation:
“Places for our younger people to go and engage with things that they are interested in that are free or low cost.” Survey respondent ((what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
Several respondents put forward suggestions as to how conditions can be improved for young people and how they can become more involved in the community in Hartlepool
“Provide a means for young people to get out of poverty by learning trades and vocational qualifications.” Survey respondent (20 years’ time)
“…Each ward should have budgets for youth clubs and sports clubs that are inclusive and accessible…” Survey respondent (why is this priority important to you)
Some respondents felt that things had got worse for young people.
“I want the younger generation to have what we had in our youth. Playschemes, youth clubs. Safer places for them to be and not cause issues in the town due to lack of available resources and boredom.” Survey respondent (why is this priority important to you)
Strategic Issue 3
Residents raised issues through Hartlepool’s Big Conversation regarding education and support for young people:
Many respondents spoke about the need to provide more support and opportunities for young people. These included comments around education, work and social activities. Lots of people felt that anti-social behaviour issues would be reduced if there were more activities for young people to get involved with.
“Investment in children. Facilities, spaces, clubs - less anti social behaviour if children are given more oppourtunities [sic] which will lead to better choices in the community and better life chances.” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“There isn’t much for teenagers to do, you haven’t got any places for them to go and then you get large groups that are probably not doing anything but it is intimidating to walk past them.” Survey respondent (5 years’ time)
“More things for teens at night instead of hanging around the streets.” Postcard respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“…younger people are struggling to do things without support – accessing services etc. This makes them vulnerable to other things such as drugs, alcohol, violence etc. [It is] Life limiting living in those conditions… how to properly help them, getting them out and about and meeting people?” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
Many respondents were concerned that many young people were leaving for study or work and not returning
“We need to work on building aspirations. For many people aspiration evaporated in the 1970s with the closure of the steel works and local manufacturing industries. This led to multi-generational unemployment and a culture of giving up. We need to work to develop people's transferrable skills, now it is no good learning one job, they need to be equipped to go into any type of work. We also need to stop people leaving to take up work or training opportunities elsewhere as they don't come back. Even if they only go to university or college elsewhere they don't come back. We need to make Hartlepool an attractive option for them to come back to. We should promote apprenticeships and new opportunities in the new sectors such as the green energy sector to make people aware of these fantastic opportunities. Need to be able to reach kids as many parents don't care so won't take them to careers events or encourage them to look for opportunities.” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
Several respondents put forward suggestions as to how conditions can be improved for young people and how they can become more involved in the community in Hartlepool.
“Creating youth programs with taster sessions of what the council does and it’s purpose for our town and using this to educate children/young people how to access services so when they come to an age of needing help or advice it’s not as daunting.” Survey respondent (5 years’ time)
Strategic Issue 4
Residents in the Big Conversation suggested solutions to providing activities for young people in the context of antisocial behaviour:
Many respondents spoke about the need to provide more support and opportunities for young people. These included comments around education, work and social activities. Lots of people felt that anti-social behaviour issues would be reduced if there were more activities for young people to get involved with.
“Investment in children. Facilities, spaces, clubs - less anti social behaviour if children are given more oppourtunities [sic] which will lead to better choices in the community and better life chances.” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“There isn’t much for teenagers to do, you haven’t got any places for them to go and then you get large groups that are probably not doing anything but it is intimidating to walk past them.” Survey respondent (5 years’ time)
“More things for teens at night instead of hanging around the streets.” Postcard respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“…younger people are struggling to do things without support – accessing services etc. This makes them vulnerable to other things such as drugs, alcohol, violence etc. [It is] Life limiting living in those conditions… how to properly help them, getting them out and about and meeting people?” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
Several respondents put forward suggestions as to how conditions can be improved for young people and how they can become more involved in the community in Hartlepool.
“Creating youth programs with taster sessions of what the council does and it’s purpose for our town and using this to educate children/young people how to access services so when they come to an age of needing help or advice it’s not as daunting.” Survey respondent (5 years’ time)
Some respondents felt that things had got worse for young people.
“I want the younger generation to have what we had in our youth. Playschemes, youth clubs. Safer places for them to be and not cause issues in the town due to lack of available resources and boredom.” Survey respondent (why is this priority important to you)