Child poverty – young people’s views

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen undertook research on the impact of poverty on young people. In June 2023, they engaged with young people by running two focus groups and sharing an online survey, which received 780 responses from young people.

The main feedback from young people was that poverty meant that they could not afford basics in life, such as food, heat, and housing, in addition to not being able to afford the same things as their peers.

They felt that it led to instability and potentially unsafe living environments. Young people thought that poverty also affected their mental and physical health negatively.

Over 80% of respondents felt that people’s circumstances had become more challenging in the last year. Lack of internet access was considered to be a significant factor that would make young people living in poverty unable to access the same opportunities and attainment as their peers.

They also felt that living in poverty might result in not being able to engage in education due to being tired, hungry and not having clean clothes to wear.

Young people’s views and experiences of poverty are pivotal to shaping the borough’s strategy to challenging child poverty in Blackburn with Darwen.