Public views sought on youth facilities

THE Manx public is being invited to comment on a Council of Ministers report into the provision of social leisure facilities for 14 to 23-year-olds.

The report makes a series of recommendations on issues such as access to sporting and music venues, the creation of more outdoor activities, extended cafe opening hours and the introduction of regional demonstration days.

The public consultation will run until April 30 and views can be submitted via an online questionnaire at http://www.gov.im/Consultations.gov or by post to the Chief Secretary’s Office (Young Persons Report), Third Floor, Central Government Offices, Bucks Road, Douglas, IM1 3PN.

Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK established a Young Persons Working Group in February 2009 in order to identify ways to develop and improve what is on offer for teenagers and young adults.

Chaired by Education Minister Anne Craine MHK, it reviewed existing facilities and consulted directly with youth and community organisations to gain a flavour of what they wanted to see in the Island.

Opportunities to address any gaps in provision by forging new partnerships with the private and voluntary sectors were also explored. In its final report to the Council of Ministers, the group says the current economic climate was taken into account to ensure that its recommendations were ‘appropriate, affordable and logistically achievable’.

It added that: ‘The consultations with young people showed that, in general, they were not looking for expensive new facilities, just better use of existing ones.’

A wide range of issues are highlighted including:

• The need to publicise events more effectively

• Seeking to extend the opening hours of Government owned cafes to encourage the ‘cafe society’

• The provision of regional youth cafes, similar to Cafe Laare in Lord Street, Douglas

• Establishing a network of sports/leisure facilities available on a ‘turn up and play’ basis

• Identifying new meeting places, drop-in centres, youth shelters, music venues, mountain bike trails and areas for forest adventure activities

• Hosting demonstration days to showcase sport, arts, music, dance, youth and church activities

• The introduction of a youth discount card for the National Sports Centre, Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre for people in education and training

• Earmarking areas for young people to practice, under supervision, their driving/riding skills.

Mrs Craine said:

‘It is important for the quality of life of our young people that the social and recreational opportunities available to them are adequate and appropriate. The consultation exercise provides an opportunity for the whole community, not least young people themselves, to have their say on what is on offer in the Isle of Man for the 14 to 23 age group.’