PRESS RELEASE
Survey of 10-17 year olds shows that the Island can boast top class teenagers.
Two thousand pupils answered an on-line questionnaire with nearly 100 questions. The questions covered all aspects of their lives and were designed to find out their behaviour, views and attitudes. The survey was scrutinised by the School’s Health Education Unit (SHEU) which undertakes research across England. SHEU Director, Angela Balding, commented:
‘We believe that Guernsey young people compare well with young people elsewhere. You can quite rightly describe them as ‘Top Class Teenagers’. The vast majority are positive and confident and they lead healthy active lives. They are obviously proud of their Island’.
The Island’s Lifelong Learning Manager, Alun Williams, was a member of the research team and he believes that the research will play an important role in helping the Guernsey community understand the Island’s young people.
‘We undertook such an extensive survey because we wanted to get some real hard evidence on how young people are leading their lives today. We now have a clear, accurate picture of Guernsey’s young people and it is an overwhelmingly positive picture. Some of the key points are that young people in Guernsey are: Proud to be ‘Guernsey’;
have strong relationships with family and friends;
lead healthier lives and take more exercise than their English contemporaries’.
Yvonne Le Page, Health Promotion Manager, has been involved in previous surveys. She has identified one significant development:
‘The surveys are a useful measure over time as we can see how young people’s lives change. Certainly it is clear that young people are becoming increasingly well informed about the ways to live their lives. It is reassuring to see that most have made a conscious effort to lead more healthy lives’.
Despite the good news the survey has made clear that there are areas for concern.
Approximately 10% - 12% of young people are demonstrating less positive views on their lives. A significant minority did not respond positively to questions about emotional well-being and self-esteem. There was also a significant increase in alcohol use amongst young people.
The areas of concern that were raised did not overly surprise Alun Williams.
‘Over the past few years there has been considerable reflection and discussion on young people’s lives in Guernsey. For example issues such as misuse of alcohol and young people’s emotional well being were all highlighted as priority areas of action in the recent Health and Social Services Department consultation on priorities for health care. Departments and agencies recognise these as issues and are attempting to address them through initiatives such as the drug and alcohol strategy. These findings will assist all those who work with young people as we now have such a wealth of information to interrogate. This will inform our work with young people over the coming years.”
The full details of the survey can be seen on www.guernseysurvey.gg The website will go live from midday Thursday 25th October.
The survey will be disseminated through a variety of meetings and briefing sessions with school and community groups that work with young people. Ann Battye, the Education Department Personal Social and Health Education consultant identified the survey as being particularly useful in schools.
‘Teachers will be using the data from the survey to help them shape their Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education programmes, as virtually all the issues covered in the survey are tackled in these curriculum areas. It is really useful to refer to local evidence as that brings the topic alive and gives it relevance,’ said Mrs Battye.
It is also hoped to organise a children’s conference in January to discuss the findings:
More info at www.guernseysurvey.gg
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