Full Report

Recommendations

Although many young people leave the Northern Fells for new experiences, travel and to access higher education, a significant number feel that factors such as prohibitive house prices, inadequate transport services and a scarcity of career opportunities impact upon their choices and options. This section details points of action that could support young people with the choices they make, wherever these might take them. It also works towards helping those who want to live and work in the area to do so.

Community and Communications

There is a need for better lines of communications between service providers and young people especially those in the 14-17 years age range. There is also a need for information to be made available to all young people, including those who do not live in Caldbeck or who are not part of networks of information because they have recently moved into the area. The sort of information that young people want is wide ranging and includes details of social events happening in the Northern Fells and advice/information/experience sharing regarding coping with the move to University and city life.

Action points:

• a dedicated youth web-site. This will be set up to provide information on:
• Transport. Links to information on local bus and train services and timetables will be posted on the website. Information regarding the Northern Fells Community Bus and the Voluntary Car Service will also be available.
• Entertainment. Information on local clubs, societies, events and activities will be posted on the website.
• Jobs and training. There will be space on the website for the advertisement of job vacancies and opportunities. Links to websites advertising jobs. Further space for training providers such as Connexions to promote their activities. One off events such as careers talks from local people will be advertised here.
• Accommodation. This will provide information on Housing Associations who work and let properties in the Northern Fells. It will also provide space for private landlords to advertise properties to let. There will be further space for the campaign for affordable accommodation and updates on progress regarding this matter. There will be links to other campaigns on affordable accommodation, such as the High Bickington Project 2000.
• Healthy Living Information on local healthcare services; dietary and fitness concerns; drugs awareness; sexual health; local sports clubs/facilities. Details/links will be provided concerning where to go/who to speak to when individuals are coping with bereavement/upset/loneliness/depression/stress/bullying. Mental healthcare services information will be provided.
• Going to University? Advice on moving to cities and coping with university and urban life. Space for sharing information and experiences. Things to know such as How to survive on a small budget; Which University is best for you?; Cooking for One; Staying safe in the city.
• Discussion Board. This will provide space for young people to air their views, concerns and to share information.
• Up to date information will also be sent by email or texting

Employment and Training

Although most of the young people were in some form of education, training or job, some key concerns were raised. Regarding employment, rural Cumbria has experienced an overall employment decline between 1998-2002 (Countryside Agency). Jobs lost in traditional trades such as agriculture have been replaced by jobs that are often part-time or seasonal in the wholesale, retail, hotel and catering sector. Whilst seasonal work suits the needs of students it is inadequate for young people developing careers and seeking full-time employment. For the six young people training to be farmers, frustration was expressed regarding declining farm incomes and insecurity that surrounded their future. This has knock-on effects for those training to be agricultural mechanics and veterinary nurses. Experiences of graduate work opportunities were few. Where these did exist, competition for the job was immense. There were two young people considering self-employment at some stage.

Young people felt that both they and schools were under pressure to focus on pathways to University. Those not set for Higher Education felt they had much less support when considering future career and training options. There was a tendency to find work and apprenticeship opportunities through known contacts and not formal help. Those who did not know the right people faced difficulties finding appropriate work and apprenticeship opportunities.

Action points:

• Work with Connexions to develop more work experience opportunities in the Northern Fells. Many young people were frustrated by the scope of these. There is potential for a work experience network to be developed in the Northern Fells. There is also a need to work with partners to develop more careers/training advice and support for young people not intending to go into Higher Education.
• Provide information and links to support vocational routes to high-level skills and qualifications. More information and help needs to be made available for those considering and seeking apprenticeship training schemes. There is potential for this to be developed through the youth website.
• The youth website could also be a useful point to access links to job opportunities/internet based recruitment agencies/job centres.
• There is potential to harness the expertise of those who live and work locally. Northern Fells Careers Day or sessions could provide young people with the opportunity to see the range and depth of careers that are possible in the Northern Fells and nearby.
• Although only two individuals mentioned the possibility of self-employment, there is potential to harness the entrepreneurial spirit of young people in the Northern Fells. There is potential to work with partners (including the Small Business Service, WIRE/Cumbria Rural Women’s Network/The Prince’s Trust) to support young people considering self-employment/business ideas.
• Investigate the possibility of setting up a co-operative business employing young people which would raise money for the project and provide valuable business experience for young people.

Affordable accommodation

Young people approaching their mid-twenties are clearly concerned about the lack of affordable accommodation in the Northern Fells. Those still living with their parents, working locally and unable to set up their own homes are effectively homeless. This study identified seven young people in their early twenties keen to purchase their own property in the Northern Fells and unable to do so. Young people are beginning to take action themselves regarding affordable accommodation. They have set up meetings with parish councils and aired their concerns through the media. Young people seek local support regarding the issue of affordable accommodation. They are particularly concerned about the growth in the number of holiday/second homes in the Northern Fells.

Most young people are keen to develop schemes whereby they can purchase (at least a proportion of) their own property. Renting accommodation is less popular because it is perceived as an expensive option (given that rents are high because of competition with tourists for privately owned properties) that provides no security for the future. Young people had some knowledge of Housing Association rental properties in the Northern Fells. More information is needed on the Housing Associations with properties in the area.

Action points include:

• Exposing need. There are young people who want to live and work in the Northern Fells and are unable to do so. Caldbeck Parish Council has recently undertaken a housing survey which has similarly identified a clear need for affordable accommodation. Other parishes could follow suit to further demonstrate the need for affordable accommodation. The youth website could be another useful tool for demonstrating need, providing a place for individuals to share their concerns and emphasise need.
• Developing community support. This is needed for young people to develop their agenda regarding affordable accommodation. Parish councils need to assist with this.
• Partnership working. The Northern Fells Group and Parish Councils need to work with district and county councils to demonstrate need that will be recognised by Housing Associations.
• Exploring options. The issue of affordable accommodation is a national concern. Many rural communities across the UK are working to develop affordable accommodation initiatives. The High Bickington Project 2000, for example, has formed a Community Land Trust developing farmland (previously owned by Devon County Council) and old buildings into houses and workshops. ‘Capturing Value for Rural Communities’ published by the Countryside Agency in 2005 provides information on other projects dealing with affordable accommodation issues.

Transport

This section is particularly appropriate for the 14-17 age group. Young people need access to co-ordinated information regarding existing public service delivery. There is potential for the Northern Fells Bus/CCC Voluntary Car Service to be better targeted at young people. Some individuals thought that these services were only available to ‘old people’. There is scope for a car share scheme to be set up to help young people to access work opportunities in towns/cities during the vacations and at weekends (especially Saturdays). 77% of people still at school reported that they had a job.

Action points:

• Put pressure on bus companies regarding fares and routes.
• Facilitate better use of the Northern Fells Community Bus and the Cumbria County Council Voluntary Car Service. Introduction to/information on services to be posted on dedicated youth website. Establish monthly Saturday shopping trips for 14-17 year olds using the Northern Fells Community Bus with a pick-up/drop off point in Caldbeck (and other villages too).
• Investigate Car Share schemes. This is particularly relevant for young people accessing work opportunities in Carlisle during the vacations.
• Set up a Wheels to Work programme.
• Information on public transport services to be posted on dedicated youth website.
• Getting around safely by bike is difficult. The road between Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket is a particular concern. There is some interest in pushing ahead with previous plans to develop an off road bike path between these two villages.

Social Life:

Overall there was general satisfaction with clubs, societies, events and activities locally provided. There is, however, a clear need for information regarding clubs/activities happening in the Northern Fells to be made available to everyone. To access information or hear about forthcoming events individuals have to be in the loop of information sharing. Some, especially those who have recently moved into the area, miss out on this information. Furthermore, Caldbeck is considered to be at the hub of social life in the Northern Fells and those who live outside of the village and do not consider themselves ‘Caldbeck people’ feel shy about getting involved.

There are less events and activities organised for women in comparison to those laid on for men. Young women are not involved in local football, cricket or darts teams. Many like to go into Carlisle to window/shop on Saturdays but are sometimes unable to do this because their parents are busy/at work. There is potential for the monthly organisation of Saturday trips into Carlisle for young women. There is also a need for occasional and special events to be laid on in the summer holidays. This might include mountain bike riding, water sports in the lakes etc.

Action points:

• Provide information regarding clubs/societies/forthcoming events and activities on a dedicated youth website. Make sure that individuals are aware that clubs such as ‘Caldbeck Players’ are open to young people who live in other parts of the Northern Fells. Young Farmers meetings/events especially need to be advertised on this website.
• Work closely with the Northern Fells Youth Initiative Coordinator/young people to develop activities and events for school holidays. Mountain biking events and water sports in the lakes were two ideas raised by individuals.
• Work closely with the Northern Fells Youth Initiative Coordinator/young people to develop activities for young women. There is potential for occasional/monthly Saturday trips into Carlisle to be organised.
• Support the work of the Young Farmers Clubs which are key to the social life of many young people in the Northern Fells. It is important that everyone knows that the organisation is not just for farmers.