#SpeakUp: a survey from Saalike Youth Project with young people and parents about the Covid 19 pandemic

Healthwatch Sheffield gave Saalik Youth Project a small grant to understand the issues their community was facing during the Covid-19 pandemic.  They undertook two surveys to which 307 young people and their parents responded.

Young people’s key concerns during the pandemic included not being able to go out, a lack of exercise, isolation, changes in sleep patterns and disrupted schooling. Nearly two thirds of young people became more inactive during lockdown.

Most parents were concerned about mental or physical health and catching Covid, home schooling and lack of social interaction.  Their key worries about their children included schooling, physical health and amount of screen time.

The positives for young people during the pandemic were time to watch things they liked on TV, more free time and spending time with family. For parents these were time to reflect, family interaction and spending time on hobbies.  The things that helped parents cope included their religious beliefs, family and friends and financial security.

Young people and parents were asked about who they go to for support. Broadly speaking, friends and family were more popular sources of support for both groups compared to professionals. When parents were asked where they would go for support for themselves or for their children, the vast majority said family.

Most young people felt that their school/college/ university were able to support them whilst learning online. Most young people also felt that their parents were able to support their school learning.  Most parents felt confident about supporting their children. However over nine in ten young people felt that Covid-19 had caused a lot of uncertainty around exams.

Most young people had access to a smartphone and a laptop. Over four in five young people felt confident in using technology. Most parents felt confident in supporting their children’s learning and engagement using technology. Over four in five young people felt that online lessons were worse than face to face ones. 

The survey also asked young people and parents about the activities they want to do after lockdown. Most young people selected trips and sport sessions/fitness sessions. Parents wanted their children to do sports sessions/martial arts, trips/residentials, dads and lads/mums and daughter sessions, and reading clubs/creative writing/arts and crafts. In terms of activities that they themselves wanted to be involved with, most parents selected fitness/sport sessions and/or walking/hiking.

The surveys also asked about workshops and training that young people and parents wanted to be involved with. Young people gave mixed responses to this question, The top responses included drug/gun/knife crime/violence, finance/business skills and management, health, religious workshops, and mental and emotional health.

Parents were also asked about the training that they felt their children would benefit from.  The most popular answer for parents was religious workshops while for young people this topic ranked lower. In terms of training that parents themselves wanted to be involved with, most parents selected one or more of the following: religious workshops/courses, trips/excursions, and mental health awareness. Most parents and children wanted these workshops to take place face to face.

The report includes five recommendations about culturally competent engagement, trust in providers, support, and a range of activities, delivered face to face.

Healthwatch Sheffield gave Saalik Youth Project a small grant to understand the issues their community was facing during the Covid-19 pandemic.  They undertook two surveys to which 307 young people and their parents responded.

Young people’s key concerns during the pandemic included not being able to go out, a lack of exercise, isolation, changes in sleep patterns and disrupted schooling. Nearly two thirds of young people became more inactive during lockdown.

Most parents were concerned about mental or physical health and catching Covid, home schooling and lack of social interaction.  Their key worries about their children included schooling, physical health and amount of screen time.

The positives for young people during the pandemic were time to watch things they liked on TV, more free time and spending time with family. For parents these were time to reflect, family interaction and spending time on hobbies.  The things that helped parents cope included their religious beliefs, family and friends and financial security.

Young people and parents were asked about who they go to for support. Broadly speaking, friends and family were more popular sources of support for both groups compared to professionals. When parents were asked where they would go for support for themselves or for their children, the vast majority said family.

Most young people felt that their school/college/ university were able to support them whilst learning online. Most young people also felt that their parents were able to support their school learning.  Most parents felt confident about supporting their children. However over nine in ten young people felt that Covid-19 had caused a lot of uncertainty around exams.

Most young people had access to a smartphone and a laptop. Over four in five young people felt confident in using technology. Most parents felt confident in supporting their children’s learning and engagement using technology. Over four in five young people felt that online lessons were worse than face to face ones. 

The survey also asked young people and parents about the activities they want to do after lockdown. Most young people selected trips and sport sessions/fitness sessions. Parents wanted their children to do sports sessions/martial arts, trips/residentials, dads and lads/mums and daughter sessions, and reading clubs/creative writing/arts and crafts. In terms of activities that they themselves wanted to be involved with, most parents selected fitness/sport sessions and/or walking/hiking.

The surveys also asked about workshops and training that young people and parents wanted to be involved with. Young people gave mixed responses to this question, The top responses included drug/gun/knife crime/violence, finance/business skills and management, health, religious workshops, and mental and emotional health.

Parents were also asked about the training that they felt their children would benefit from.  The most popular answer for parents was religious workshops while for young people this topic ranked lower. In terms of training that parents themselves wanted to be involved with, most parents selected one or more of the following: religious workshops/courses, trips/excursions, and mental health awareness. Most parents and children wanted these workshops to take place face to face.

The report includes five recommendations about culturally competent engagement, trust in providers, support, and a range of activities, delivered face to face.