In our September meeting one of the subjects discussed was how support for young people is being eroded.

Yes, we have had successes, the shelter in Victoria Park hasn’t generated any adverse comments that we know of, and it hasn’t been trashed as some doubters forecast. Another success is the introduction of Street Pastors who provide support to young people on Friday and Saturday nights twice a month. These patrols undoubtedly reduce some potential for mischief. We, the PCC strongly thank the organisers and volunteers who make this happen.

We had other successes too, such as the young peoples’ film nights, etc. We think it has made a difference, but now there is a perfect storm. Funding is being reduced or stopped altogether, coordinators and volunteers are retiring or taking a step back and no one is coming forward to lend a hand.

Just two recent examples – “Oor Space Youthy” has cancelled OSY Juniors (Friday), OSY Seniors (Saturday) and the youth Café (Monday and Thursday) and “Peebles Youth Voice” has been wound up. Will we now see a deterioration in behaviour? Probably.

Society has changed, youngsters are subject to different pressures, particularly with social media, and schools often seem to concentrate on high academic achievement as the be all and end all for youngsters to succeed. In the past this pressure was offset by technical subjects for the practical kids who weren’t academic and by lauding sporting achievement. Social media and electronic games also have an effect by reducing actual face to face communication with peers and parents alike, at least for some people.

Youth groups provide a forum in which real communication can take place, where some can find support or words of comfort and advice which aren’t available elsewhere or where youngsters are reluctant to look for it. Not everyone can be academic. In my case I had a great career after initially being a failure at school. Perhaps a slow developer. Again, I have a friend who being highly dyslexic, still can’t read and write very well. At school he was told he would never amount to anything, but like me, he had a very successful business career and even flies his own plane. We need to provide support and to help every youngster to be a success; and by doing so reduce some of the potential for poor behaviour. Neither should we forget that only a very small minority cause problems and support from society can often help them.

Recently, I came across a company that to me at any rate stands out for best practice in developing youth. P&M Sinclair (who are builders) have 20 trade apprentices who make up roughly a quarter of the workforce. Edinburgh College and CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) provide the foundation for their modern apprenticeships. The company deliver employability sessions at local high schools and have previously hosted work placements for local S5 pupils undertaking a foundation apprenticeship in business skills.

As if this was not enough, in January every year they support the Future Pathways event at Penicuik School, helping with mock interviews amongst other things. Further, they attended an event in Midlothian for circa 100 S3 students to consider work in the built environment by giving youngsters the opportunity to experience hands on sessions with real employers. Unfortunately, this article can only sample a little of what this company does so well. Perhaps others can learn from this. Apart from anything else, the company consider that it provides them with a stronger skills base than would standard recruitment practices.

At our PCC meeting it was expressed that people suffer from an inertia when it comes to volunteering. However, with something so important as our children, can we stand back and fail them through our inertia and lack of interest?

If you would like to help, please contact Anne Snoddy (Secretary) secretary@ccrbpeebles.co.uk

Peter Maudsley

Chair

Peebles and District Community Council