Young People’s Engagement “Our lives during a pandemic” Outreach Key Messages July-August 2020 Covid-19 ‘National Lockdown’ Measures were put in place in March 2020. Contents Children, young people and their families Where did we visit and what 1 were asked to ‘Stay home, save lives and protect our NHS’. did we do? Therefore, from April to July 2020 Our Voice engaged with young people online. What did young people share? -Covid 19 As soon as restrictions were relaxed and 2 -Our Learning and Futures we were able to find young people in 3 parks and open spaces, we did. -The importance of recreation 4 and play We asked about their experiences of navigating a global pandemic, the changes that have resulted and what’s What Next? 5 important to them. Here is a summary of what they told us… Where did we visit and what did we do? The main purpose of the outreach sessions was to promote the Our Voice We have also met virtually with the LGBTQ+ Youth Programme and encourage young people from across Kirklees to join in! We Group at the Brunswick Centre, the Children in know there will be exciting experiences and opportunities available, for Care Council and Care Leavers Council. them to make a difference in the coming months. We have spoken to 238 children and young people* this Summer, their ages Spen Valley In North Kirklees, we visited: Cleckheaton have varied from 8-23. Alongside promoting our current projects, we have Batley Birstall also asked young people how they have managed ‘lockdown’ and what they Heckmondwike feel about the coming months… Mirfield Mirfield Dewsbury In Denby Dale & Kirkburton, we visited: In Huddersfield Central, we visited: Skelmanthorpe village centre Scissett Recreation Ground, Sports Centre Car Park The Town Centre Huddersfield and village centre Clayton West Recreation Ground and Cricket Club Greenhead Park Central Lindley Shepley Recreation Ground (next to the First School) Ravensknowle Park Almondbury Mitchell Avenue Park Kirkburton Southfield Road Park Some of the young people had travelled between Almondbury Village Centre Moldgreen Colne Valley 6-12 miles to different areas and parks. They were as young as 14 and had used public Denby Dale transport and walked. This suggests if young Meltham people want to get somewhere-they will! Distance does not seem to put young people off attending In the Colne Valley, we visited: places of interest/meeting friends. Milnsbridge village centre Holmfirth Crow Lane Park Golcar village centre Sycamore Estate Slaithwaite In the Holme Valley we visited: Linthwaite The Sand’s Playing Fields and Park Holmfirth village centre Meltham and Honley *We’ve defined children as aged 11 and below. Those aged 12 and over are referred to as ‘young people’ 1 Children & Young People’s Views on ‘Covid-19’ Children and young people naturally discussed the pandemic, as part of our conversations. The changes to daily life have been unprecedented. All young people discussed the prolonged period at home, changes to schooling, missing their friends and family, how they have used their time during ‘national lockdown’, and their thoughts about the virus. Here are the key themes that emerged… “My Grandma had it, she’s ok now, but she’s the only person I know” (young person16-Huddersfield “Look, I’m not Social Distancing What do these key messages tell us? Central) and I’m not wearing a mask” (Child 10-Valleys) • The young people who spoke with us, appear to have seen little impact on A re-occurring theme was that the majority of the young people we spoke with, had not themselves Younger children appeared to their own and their family’s physical health, as a result of Covid-19. experienced ill health from Covid-19, nor had their have more resistance to the Although it is arguable the young people who have had direct experience family members. Only 3 young people stated they safety guidelines. may be more cautious and so have remained home, it should be considered had a family member/friend who had been ill due to that young people may struggle to fully consider the risks, when they feel Covid- 19. they have a lack of negative health outcomes associated with the virus. • The young people we spoke with had a clear understanding of the behaviours and actions needed to reduce the risk of contraction and “I’m done with it “Yeah, I thought about the risk before I came out today, but transmission. They were observed to Social Distance and most had masks now” (young person 16- you know, you’ve got to live your life…” (young person15- (if 11+) when asked. Valleys) Huddersfield Central) • Young people aged 13+ were not keen on mask wearing, but knew it was The uncertainty and Older young people felt they could mitigate risks by an expectation, stating they generally complied. There was a clear duration of distinction with young people 12 and below, who very much disliked meeting friends in outdoor spaces and social distancing. lockdown appeared impactive. masks, with some refusing to wear them. • The majority of children under 12, independently attending parks, were observed not to socially distance from their friends. Young people aged 13 and above appeared to socially distance more effectively. • We did speak with some Care Leavers (on outreach as well as through the “I have had to create a ‘bubble’ with other young “I don’t think it exists. Its Care Leavers forum) and Independent Living young people. They people who live alone, like me. There are more of us discussed the loneliness and lack of Social Support that they had something to do with than there should be, but I could not carry on being vaccinations, but I’m ok, alone…” (Independent Living young person 19, anonymous) experienced in ‘lockdown’. As a result, they had continued to visit the because I haven’t had homes of a number of friends. They felt the risk of the virus and ‘rule any…” (Independent Living Some young people had experiences and living breaking’ was not as great as the mental health challenges which resulted Young Person 19) arrangements, which had made lockdown incredibly from ‘prolonged isolation’. challenging. They had to choose between breaking A small amount of young • For the small number of young people who felt the pandemic was a hoax, the rules and maintaining their well-being. people felt the virus was a they had received messages to reinforce this, online. ‘hoax ’. 2 Young Peoples reflections on their learning and futures: What do these the key messages tell us? “There’s already talk we will be the ‘Covid generation’. That when we go for 1 job interviews or apply to University, our applications will be worth less, Primary and middle school aged children because our grades were decided, not earned” (young person 15, Huddersfield Central) • None of the 29 younger children who spoke with us had returned to school, prior to the Summer holidays, even if they had the opportunity to do so. They often could not The messages young people are hearing in the press and from adults aren’t answer ‘why’ they had not returned. This may indicate parent/carers made this positive! Although we all need to critically analyse the impact of the pandemic decision on their children’s behalf. and what we can do to reduce negative outcomes, we need to be mindful of the • Although the children did not speak with ‘fear’ about their return to school, there was messages children an young people are receiving. a clear air of ‘uncertainty’ as to what school might be like in September 2020. • Some young people had used the lockdown time to ride their bikes and play outdoors. Although this has many positives, they did openly state they did not want to “I gave up on the home learning after “I loved doing the online return to school and struggled with the idea of ‘routine’, uniform and formal lessons. about 3 weeks…” work. I can get it out of the way and then do what I want “You’re silly, man, you’ve all that to Secondary age young people with my time” (young person 14 catch up on now when you go back” • Boys showed a preference for the online learning and felt they generally had ‘kept Denby Dale and Kirkburton) (young person, 14 Holme Valley) up’ with work set by their school. Some young people • Girls had struggled more with online lessons. They preferred ‘face to face’ teaching Keeping momentum, structure and preferred the flexibility of routine had been hard for many of the and spoke about how they missed seeing others in the school environment. independent study. • Some young people did not have access to the internet or electronic devices at young people we spoke with. home. • We spoke with one young person who attended a private school. They had received “I managed to get my own apprenticeship taught lessons, online, daily, throughout the lockdown period. None of the young during lockdown. I looked online and people attending state education described this. contacted them. Its fabricating. I start in “The uniform at my new school has cost my Mum • Some young people stated that whilst their parents had to work from home, they had September” (young person 17, Mirfield) and Dad nearly £200. It’s taken on caring responsibilities for younger siblings. This had been hard, in terms of so expensive, I just don’t managing their own leaning and at times, wellbeing. This young person had been afforded the know how they think that’s time to focus on pursuing an • A number of young people spoke with loss regarding their exams.