Springboig/Barlanark Full Neighbourhood Report Establishing a baseline for the ‘community perception’ target set out within the Alcohol Theme of Glasgow’s Single Outcome Agreement ADP Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership www.ripple-effect.co.uk Methodology and Demographics • 2014, Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) commissioned a repeat of the Ripple Effect research (originally undertaken in 2007) across 12 neighbourhoods in Glasgow City. The aim was to provide a baseline of progress towards achieving a reduction in levels of negative community perception of the impact of alcohol use on communities. Alcohol & Drug Community Engagers (ACEs) were trained and supported to undertake the research alongside the existing Prevention and Education service provider commissioned by NHSGGC and a commissioned research company. • Across the City, the research comprised a mixed method approach involving a survey of 2,618 community members (conducted face-to-face, online and self-completion) and 290 individuals taking part in qualitative research (either participatory appraisal methods or focus groups). • This is one of 12 neighbourhood reports, which outlines the results of the quantitative research in relation to Springboig/Barlanark where 165 questionnaires were completed. There is also a report produced for North East Glasgow which includes the results of 768 questionnaires and the qualitative research undertaken with 95 individuals across Parkhead/Dalmarnock, Easterhouse, Barmulloch/Balornock, and Springboig/Barlanark. There is also a comprehensive report outlining the background/introduction, methodology, results and conclusions/recommendations of the research in relation to Glasgow as a whole which can be accessed at www.ripple-effect.co.uk • The majority of the sample was female (68% versus 32% male). Just over a third of respondents (35%) were aged between 16 and 38 years old, with 45% being aged 50 years or older. Just over half (56%) were in employment with a further 3% being in education. Almost all respondents were of white Scottish origin (96%). www.ripple-effect.co.uk Springboig/Barlanark Full Neighbourhood Report Research Findings Is alcohol a problem in your community? • The significant majority of respondents (75%) agreed that alcohol is a problem, with only 9% disagreeing. One in ten respondents neither agreed nor disagreed and 5% said they didn’t know. Perceived problems in the community caused by alcohol • Respondents were asked what problems alcohol creates in communities (see table below). Table 1: Perceived alcohol problems in the community Base: Springboig/Barlanark = 165; North East = 768; Glasgow = 2,618 Springboig/ Problem North East Glasgow Barlanark Antisocial behaviour 68% 71% 69% Violence 58% 60% 61% Damages reputation of community 47% 45% 40% Vandalism 47% 51% 48% Negative health effects 46% 45% 41% Litter 45% 49% 45% Increased noise at night 41% 45% 43% Gang fighting 39% 46% 42% Sustains poverty cycle 32% 35% 31% Decreased sense of safety 31% 36% 34% Drinking Dens 30% 37% 30% Territorialism 22% 25% 20% Increased gender based violence 22% 25% 21% Agent purchase 19% 24% 22% Increased sexual crimes 18% 21% 17% Don’t know 4% 4% 4% • The majority of respondents indicated that antisocial behaviour (68%) and violence (58%) were alcohol related issues in the community. Gang fighting was also mentioned by 39% of respondents. • Vandalism and litter were further alcohol related problems (47% and 45% respectively). • Respondents also indicated that alcohol damages the reputation of the community (47%), has negative health effects (46%), leads to increased noise at night (41%), sustains the poverty cycle (32%) and results in a decreased sense of safety (31%). www.ripple-effect.co.uk Springboig/Barlanark Full Neighbourhood Report How does alcohol in the community affect you personally? • Respondents were asked what types of issues alcohol use in their community created for them personally. This appeared to be a fairly problematic question, as respondents often perceived the question in relation to their own alcohol use and drinking patterns, which despite further explanation and illustration from the interviewer was often difficult to overcome. It may be that this issue was too sensitive and complex to broach in the survey. • The most commonly mentioned ways in which alcohol affected the respondent personally were in relation to quality of life (29%), personal safety (25%), and mental health issues (22%). • Just over a third of respondents (34%) indicated that alcohol affected the appearance of the area in which they lived. Which community groups are affected by alcohol? • The significant majority agreed that young people were affected (61%) followed by families (55%), children (44%) and older people (43%). • Young people and families (34% and 20% respectively) were highlighted to be most affected. Which community areas are affected by alcohol? • Parks and waste ground were most commonly said to be affected (55%) followed by off licenses and surrounding areas (40%), and secluded areas (34%). • Parks and waste ground were also said to be most affected by 25% of respondents. • Shopping centres were mentioned by 27% of respondents. What can be done? • Just under six in ten respondents (59%) provided a suggestion on what actions could be taken to improve alcohol related problems in the community. The results are displayed in Table 2. Table 2: What could be done to improve the issues in your community caused by alcohol? Springboig/Barlanark = 97; North East Glasgow = 494; Glasgow = 1,768 Springboig/ Solutions North East Glasgow Barlanark Community resources More activities for young people 21% 23% 20% More services 18% 19% 20% More employment/training opportunities 5% 3% 5% Community Safety More community police 30% 31% 32% Education and awareness More education and awareness 22% 21% 22% Licensing issues Stricter licensing 12% 12% 12% Reduce accessibility of alcohol 2% 3% 4% Ban on alcohol - 2% 2% * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed www.ripple-effect.co.uk Springboig/Barlanark Full Neighbourhood Report • The most common suggestion was for more community police on the beat. (30%). • A further suggestion was for more education and awareness raising on the impacts of alcohol (22%). • Just over a fifth (21%) of survey respondents indicated a need for more diversionary activities and youth groups/clubs. • More services including support and rehabilitation services were suggested by 18% of respondents. • The issue of stricter licensing was raised by 12% of respondents, with a further 2% mentioning restricting the accessibility of alcohol. www.ripple-effect.co.uk Springboig/Barlanark Full Neighbourhood Report Recommendations The report generated a range of recommendations relating to the process, key themes, and suggestions to be taken forward for the next Ripple consultation. Key recommendations included the following. It is recommended that: 1. The cultural nature of the problem of alcohol in these communities has to be considered, in order to challenge the long term attitudes and expectations surrounding alcohol consumption and related behaviours; 2. There is greater support and intervention targeting the family, and parents in particular, in order to improve the outcomes for young people; 3. Resources are targeted towards further prevention and education interventions for young people, to delay the onset of alcohol intake, and focus on resilience approaches to risk taking behaviours so young people have the ability to resist peer pressure; 4. There are more tailored diversionary activities for young people, which they are consulted on, to provide an alternative to alcohol consumption; 5. Resources are targeted towards providing opportunities for young people in the form of volunteering, training or employment; 6. The range of factors impacting on the quality of life of community respondents are considered when developing interventions and approaches; 7. Given that the community identified agent purchase as a significant issue, interventions tackling agent purchase are undertaken, e.g. Community Alcohol Campaigns; 8. Interventions to curb antisocial behaviour, vandalism and other problems associated with alcohol are directed to areas including parks and waste ground, secluded areas and shopping centres; 9. Community members should be supported to be more involved and less isolated by having more community events in community venues, and by providing wider opportunities for people to be involved in shaping the future of their community; 10. There is increased promotion and awareness raising of community facilities and youth provision that do exist in communities, and that this is included as part of the dissemination process; 11. Community members, particularly young people, are consulted about improvements and details of service and youth provision; 12. Actions are taken to change the stereotypical view of an individual experiencing alcohol addiction and to raise awareness of the addiction; 13. The results of the Ripple Effect research are shared widely with stakeholders who have an interest and investment in improving Glasgow communities and making them Thriving Places as the scale and complexity of the problem necessitates a multi-agency approach; and 14. Given the scope of the research and the number of factors which have arisen as key themes, it is recommended that where possible the Ripple Effect links in with other related pieces of work such as Community Alcohol Campaigns. Prepared by Dr Judith Harkins Dudleston Harkins Social Research Ltd [email protected] www.ripple-effect.co.uk Springboig/Barlanark Full Neighbourhood Report.