AN ESTIMATED 10 MILLION ADULTS IN FEAR OF THE UK’S YOUTH!!!!

NEW research from TS Rebel, an Essex-based sailing charity working with children, reveals the disturbing state of the cross-generational relationship between the UK’s adults and its young people.

Among the research’s findings is that 21% of UK adults has been physically or verbally intimidated by under 18s over the past 12 months, which equates to a massive 9.8 million people. 

This level of violence appears to have created a climate of fear that is frightening a large section of the UK’s society.

Astonishingly, 21% of people (10.0 million) have avoided going out at least one evening in the past 12 months because they felt scared or intimidated by young people, and an incredible 41% of adults would avoid walking directly past a group of youths.

The shocking findings are part of a major survey by TS Rebel into the relationship between UK adults and its young people.  Nick Moulton from TS Rebel commented:- “All our research and experience demonstrates we need to offer kids more sporting activities and other opportunities structured physical exercise in order to provide them with discipline and allow them to gain self-confidence and self-respect.

With the government seemingly unable or unwilling to fulfil this role, much of this work is now left to poorly funded private organisations and charities such as ours.

We struggle to fund ourselves from year to year but this research shows there is a desperate need for the kind of work we do.”

As many as 79% of those surveyed agreed that there is a problem with the social behaviour of young people nowadays, with 35% strongly agreeing. 83% agreed that young people need greater direction and guidance in life.

A large majority of people (80%) believe that the main cause of youngsters’ anti-social behaviour was less focus on discipline, with 64% also blaming the decline of social activities such as youth clubs and sports teams.

The research found that young adults claim to be at greater risk of abuse from youngsters than older people with, 29% of 18 to 24 year olds saying they have been physically or verbally intimidated by someone under 18, higher than the 23% of 55 to 64 year olds and significantly higher than the 13% of those over 65 who said they had been similarly intimidated in the past 12 months. 

As many of 50% of women surveyed said they would avoid walking directly past a group of youths (compared to 32% for men). 

Percentage of people who claim to have been physically or verbally intimidated by a young person or group of young people in the past 12 months:-

Nick Moulton from TS Rebel said:- “These findings show we have a country paralysed by a fear of its young people.

This is a deeply unhealthy state of affairs and, for the good of our country’s future, we need to work hard to break down barriers and integrate youngsters effectively into the mainstream of society.”

HEFCE and Salix launch fund to reduce greenhouse gases

HIGHER education institutions (HEIs) in England will benefit from a new fund to provide repayable grants for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This fund will be a partnership between HEFCE and Salix Finance Ltd (Salix) with both parties committing significant funds. HEFCE and Salix expect that there will be a combined total of around £30 to 40 million to distribute over the three years from 2008.

The UK Government has set a goal to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the UK by at least 60% by 2050. Projects funded under the new scheme will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, from both existing and new buildings, and enable HEIs to save money in the long term and to benefit from carbon trading. Projects might include:- better energy management, on-site renewable energy generation, waste management, and sustainable construction and refurbishment.

Annual energy costs for the English higher education sector are currently around £250 million resulting in carbon dioxide emissions of around 1.6 million tonnes. As the sector grows, these figures will also grow, unless action is taken.

Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said:- ‘Higher education has a major role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and much progress has already been made by the sector. We are delighted to be working with Salix in helping to develop new energy efficiency projects and innovation in managing greenhouse gas emissions.’

Peter Mallaburn, Chief Executive of Salix, said:- ‘We see this as yet another example of where Salix can assist the public sector in having an impact in meeting energy efficiency targets. By improving their environmental performance and energy efficiency, universities will also enhance their reputation amongst both current and prospective students’.

The proposals for the fund, outlined in HEFCE’s consultation on the fund, have 2 strands. An institutional small projects fund will provide HEIs with money to set up their own ring-fenced fund for proven energy efficiency projects. A transformational fund will be available for HEIs to tackle larger, innovative projects which will transform their approach to managing energy consumption and reducing emissions. These projects may cost several million pounds per HEI and are expected to act as beacons of good practice to demonstrate what can be achieved in this area.

England vs Rest of the World Volleyball
Report by Derek Hunter,  Volleyball Lancashire Development Director

IN the 1st Volleyball match ever of this type in Lancashire, a select England team played a Rest of the World team at Leyland Sports Centre on Monday 28 January 2008. Clubs from all over Lancashire provided players for the two teams to promote the mix of nationalities currently playing Volleyball in the Lancashire area. A South African from Skelmersdale, a German from Leyland, a Ukranian from Blackpool and several other nationalities came together to play against English players from all the clubs in Lancashire. Representatives from Clitheroe, Southport, Wigan and Preston to name a few became the England team and a huge battle of skills was to be fought on court. England took the first set clearly showing that they had played together as a unit before, winning 25 to 21.

Then German captain Ronnie of Springfields club in Leyland made a few choice substitutions and this was enough to mix the game up a little with the Rest of the World taking the second set 25 to 23. In the final set huge support from the sidelines by Ina, the Dutch player from Garstang, obviously spurred on the 'Visiting' team and they went through to win the final set 25 to 23. Cheers went up from the Rest of the World team as they set the precedent for years to come, with Man of the Match Lewis Mitchell selected by the referee to be the first ever in this competition. This newly dubbed 'Chairman's Cup' will be played yearly now and like the Ashes before it will see some very fierce yet friendly battles.

Like Premiership football, the number of non-English players in the Lancashire area is bringing with it new impetus and greater skill to the sport of Volleyball. Chairman of the Association Richard Lee of Southport College club said:- "It was fantastic to see so many players from all over Lancashire turn out for this first of many annual events.   Volleyball in the area is growing once again with clubs springing up in all neighbourhoods. Its a great sport to play for fun, fitness and socialising and this one match had all three aspects."

For more information on the sport in this area, to join a club or to start or find a team local to you just contact them by email.

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