This section of our website is dedicated to young people who are concerned about crime, isolation, loneliness or who just want to make their communities a better place.
It is well known that young people (aged 16 - 24) are disproportionately more likely to be victims of crime. Despite about one-third of students likely to be a victim of crime whilst at University, according to Staffordshire Students Union, statistics on campus crime are only patchily recorded by many UK universities and just a handful make the information available to would-be students. Have a look at our Students and Crime page to learn more.
In a Neighbourhood Watch survey run in December 2020, we asked 172 students what would make them get involved in the community where they live, the most chosen reasons were:
- 67% said volunteering opportunity that would enhance my CV
- 64% said an issue/cause I am passionate about
- and 47% said friends/family involvement
If you want to get involved in your community you could consider becoming a Young People Consultant (find out more below) or join the Youth Council.
Young People Consultants
It’s important to us that Neighbourhood Watch is engaging and representative for young people. We want young people to have input into the decisions made at the charity, to ensure their role and voice within communities is heard. We are looking for young people aged 16 to 24 who are passionate about community activism, crime and safety, and working with others to become one of our Young People Consultants. As a group, you will help us ensure our content is young people-friendly, help us shape campaigns and projects that are aimed at young people, input into our strategy and policies, and challenge us wherever necessary. We are looking for leaders and shapers, critical friends and passionate advocates. In return, we will provide and support you with developing soft skills, a certificate of involvement, training where necessary, experience working with a proactive team, and testimonials for your CV. If you think this may be for you, contact us at enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk to find out more.
Are you experiencing loneliness or social isolation? Do you know someone who is?
Anyone can experience social isolation, but particular groups of young people or individuals can be at higher risk. The Office for National Statistics National Measurement of Loneliness 2018 report that younger adults (aged 16-24) were more likely to report being lonely compared to every older age group (every age group from 25-34 to 75+), and that women were more likely to report being lonely than men.
Going away to college or university for the first time can also be an isolating experience for some young people. Institutional cultures have traditionally been dominated by white middle-class males, and this can particularly make those who do not identify as part of this group feel out of place.
In 2019 we produced a Youth Isolation Toolkit and Reducing Loneliness and Vulnerability Toolkit to support Neighbourhood Watch volunteers to understand the problem of loneliness and isolation among young people, learn who is most at risk, and signpost them to some services and guidance that could help those young people. The toolkits provide resources to help volunteers spread the word about the issue, so that other members of the community, family members, friends or neighbours of young people, can help too.
Now we need YOUR help to create a toolkit written BY YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE experiencing loneliness or social isolation. If you think you can help, get in touch with us by contacting enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk.