Youngedinburgh Viewfinder 3
Read the results of one of the largest ever studies of young people's views in Edinburgh and Scotland
18,000 young people in Edinburgh have given their views on how to improve quality of life and services in the city. The Youngedinburgh Viewfinder 3 study, conducted by Ipsos MORI and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Youth Services gathered the views of more than 1 in 4 young people in the city aged 11-21. The extensive findings cover everything from involving young people in decision-making to transport, leisure, feeling safe, work and money, the environment and health and well-being.
Questionnaires were distributed to all secondary schools, including special schools and independent schools.
The findings will be used to inform the next action plan for Youngedinburgh, the youth services strategy for the city.
Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, Convener for Education, Children and Families, said: “I’d like to thank all the young people who took part in the survey and I’m delighted to see that the numbers taking part have risen substantially. I am determined to include the findings of this survey in future plans to involve young people in the action plan for Youngedinburgh. I am enthusiastic about and committed to, the involvement of young people in the life of our city. I look forward to Edinburgh becoming a city in which young people feel valued, safe and full of enthusiasm for.”
Highlights of the summary report include:
- Almost three-quarters of young people (72%) feel that Edinburgh is a great place to be young and a similar proportion like the area where they live
- 72% of young people support more opportunities for work experience and 60% would like more training at school on skills employers look for
- 85% think that eating healthy food is important
- Two thirds of young people recycle
- Almost half (45%) of young people think that they should be involved when important decisions are being made
- 80% feel safe when walking alone in their local neighbourhood in the daytime
- Young people enjoy a variety of activities in their spare time. The most popular are: watch TV/DVDs (86%), listen to music (86%), go to the cinema (81%), hang out at a friend’s house(81%), and text friends (75%)
- Young people say they would like more opportunity to do a range of activities, including: go to the gym (22%), attend a youth club (21%), and go to see music artists/bands/gigs (21%)
- 69% of young people think that property is too expensive to buy in Edinburgh
- 51% of young people say that rubbish and litter lying around is a common problem in their local neighbourhood
- A quarter of young people say their health worries them a lot these days
- 72% of young people would go to a parent/guardian for help if they or a friend were suffering from abuse, or they thought someone might be suffering from abuse
- Two in five (40%) young people would like more support or help managing their emotions with other people
- Almost half (49%) of young people aged 19-21 would like more information on money and debt
- Over a quarter (27%) of young people aged 19-21 say that they often feel lonely.
For further information please contact:
Margo Morris or Kelly Faughnan, Children and Families, City Of Edinburgh Council
Tel: 0131 529 6585
Email: margo.morris@edinburgh.gov.uk