The Inquiry team was made up of youth club managers, youth workers, academics and experts with specific knowledge in the field. The Inquiry heard evidence from over 400 youth leaders, workers and volunteers, from our club network and local authority staff, through the commissioned workforce survey, and through local consultation events. The views of over 100 young people were listened to through filming at local youth clubs, and MTV BOOM! project events, as well as through Clubs for Young People’s survey of our Big Exchange group.
What are the main findings of the report
- There are currently no accurate figures for the number of youth clubs in England due to a lack of definition and clear purpose of a club. This is the first step needed to be able to plan strategically for their development;
- For the effective and sustainable development of clubs there needs to be a national support structure delivered at a local level;
- Several funding issues were raised by clubs. This includes the differences in funding allocation for ‘targeted’ work versus general universal provision, navigating complex funding arrangements, and the need for more medium-sized grants to help smaller clubs;
- Many clubs felt that voluntary sector clubs were being disregarded by local authorities in developing and delivering positive activities for young people, with greater focus on their own facilities and services;
- There is a lack of youth worker and volunteer training and support in the development of club specific skills, and knowledge;
- There needs to be a more co-ordinated approach to driving up quality standards for clubs, with appropriate investment;
- Monitoring the work of youth clubs needs to be designed to enable it to better capture its true value to young people;
- The opportunities and potential within clubs in supporting young people through the recession need to be given consideration.
How will it be useful for youth clubs?
Somewhere to belong gives an overview of the everyday experiences of youth clubs and their aspirations. Clubs for Young People will be using this evidence to influence local and national policy makers to improve the situation for clubs now and for the future. The report is an aspirational blueprint, both for the development of a great club, and how it is best supported. There is practical guidance for improving and developing clubs, which Clubs for Young People will be expanding as part of an ongoing strategy.