But there's nothing for us to do!
 

I wasn't surprised to see the 'Observer report on the 200 youngsters found 'on the streets' by police,during a one night operation.
These days it is all too common to see youngsters hanging around in large groups.
When asked to move on,the usual comment will be that they have nothing to do.
The news report tells us that not all youngsters want sport or to attend a youth club.Fair enough what do they want then?
Apparently one cause of the large groups is that the Young Peoples Neighbourhood Team advises them to stay in groups for their own safety.
Surely better safety advice would be to keep off the streets late at night.
It beggars belief that authorities spend thousands of pounds a year on facilities to provide safe indoor entertainment for youngsters, only to see them underused.
I don't know if many teenagers access this site but I would be interested in what they would actually like to do to solve the boredom issue?

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

I don't ever remember feeling bored as a teenager in the sixties. We had dancehalls, youth groups, coffee bars, cinema - and yes we used to hang around in places like the Deck, not in large groups as I remember. And I remember walking the streets with a boyfriend and another couple for miles at a time. But feeling bored? No.

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

Yes Susie there did seem more to do back then,or have I got my rose tinted specs on?

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

The generation of young folk featured has been accustomed to being entertained without effort, by TV and video games indoors.

They aren't aware of any 'outdoor ways' of 'being amused', hence they express 'boredom'.

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

Yes Margaret was going to add words to that effect to my first post but didn't want to over egg the pudding. You're quite right though.

I fear this thread runs the risk of being hijacked by those of us of a certain age looking back!

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

As far as i'm concerned its more down to a lack of imagination, before we were old enough fer dance halls n such stuff, we were out all day playing at various things, expeditions oer the coppice visiting various swings up the parks, playing hop scotch, nick,nack, n allsorts of stuff. Why its different now i think cos, its in general, a Namby Pamby society.

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

All those things I mention that we used to do are available today, and more as well I would say.

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

One venue in Accrington is the New Era youth club it provides youngsters with various activities pool,table tennis, football, computers.All for 30p.
Surely parents can afford this for their offspring?

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

Blackburn with Darwen have just opened the 'Youth Zone' in the middle of town, it caters for kids from 8 to 21, open daily in the holidays until 10pm they have allsorts going on, Reece goes down every few days to use the Gym, play footie, pool, table tennis and just have a good time, all for 50p, they can also buy food down there, i suppose it's very much like New Era, it keeps the teenagers off the streets and off their games consoles, to me it's wonderful.

If Reece isn't down there he's off on his bike with his mates or i'm i'm really lucky we go out for the day (according to him he's too old to be seen out with mummy now) he'll be 16 in a month and does things i used to do when i was a kid AND he comes in at a decent hour and isn't hanging around the streets

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

Sounds like a great idea -do they not have anything similar in Accy -there are some great parks which are probably not being used as they could be for example.

Do the council not promote any youth activities over the summer?

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

Thats good value n well worth it, Nice one shaz, Its also the difference between good uns n deadheads.;)

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

Opened a month ago, not just for the summer, and 40% funded by the council, plus lots of local businesses.

About | Blackburn Youth Zone

One may be on its way to Accy, see post 33 on this thread...

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ml#post1007596

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

Don't think so lampman, we made our own entertainment, we didn't need to make a nuisance of ourselves, apart for a bit of nick knack:D, I've watched kids being dropped of by their parents at the bottom of Rhyddings Street on a friday night carrying a six pack, and I don't mean coca cola either, so they can meet their mates up the Park and create havoc, well away from their own doorsteps.

Although there is some blame to be handed out here, the Youth Club on Harvey Street Ossy, is virtually closed now, Martin the youth leader who had done some outstanding work over the last 10 years has been moved to Rossendale, what for god only knows, but of course as always, its the authorities who know best, god how I wish we were a unitary authority

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

I hope they do get one in Accy, this place is well manned by loads of staff and the police bob their head in now and again to have a natter with the kids, Reece has just gone down their now with a couple of his mates

Re: But there's nothing for us to do!
 

I don't think that Accrington will be affording the millions of pounds that Blackburn Youth Zone cost.The one on the garage site seems to be a church based group.I've seen the one in Ossie and it seems a well run place,though not perhaps what your local street cred kid will want!
As for Martin,Jaysay yes he was a hard working bloke who got things done, perhaps his transfer is a promotion?