The article highlights the importance of community centers, youth clubs, and playgrounds in supporting vulnerable children and promoting social mobility. It features an interview with Darren Sanders, Deputy Leader of Portsmouth Council, who discusses the council's commitment to funding and prioritizing play and youth services.
Sanders notes that the council has taken a decision to fund and prioritize these services over two decades ago, as many children were living in "absolute poverty." He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and trust with local young people, which helps break down barriers and enables them to live fulfilling lives.
The article also features profiles of individual young people who benefit from these services. Layla Morgan, a 16-year-old footballer, talks about how she was able to open up about her processing issues, autism, and ADHD at the youth club, where staff were supportive and understanding.
Additionally, the article references research on the impact of youth club closures in London, which found that pupils who lost access to these facilities performed worse academically and were more likely to commit crime. The study's author, Professor Carmen Villa, highlights the importance of a sense of belonging during adolescence, which is critical for young people's development.
Overall, the article suggests that community centers, youth clubs, and playgrounds play a vital role in supporting vulnerable children and promoting social mobility. By providing safe spaces for young people to learn, socialize, and develop, these organizations help break down barriers and enable individuals to reach their full potential.
Sanders notes that the council has taken a decision to fund and prioritize these services over two decades ago, as many children were living in "absolute poverty." He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and trust with local young people, which helps break down barriers and enables them to live fulfilling lives.
The article also features profiles of individual young people who benefit from these services. Layla Morgan, a 16-year-old footballer, talks about how she was able to open up about her processing issues, autism, and ADHD at the youth club, where staff were supportive and understanding.
Additionally, the article references research on the impact of youth club closures in London, which found that pupils who lost access to these facilities performed worse academically and were more likely to commit crime. The study's author, Professor Carmen Villa, highlights the importance of a sense of belonging during adolescence, which is critical for young people's development.
Overall, the article suggests that community centers, youth clubs, and playgrounds play a vital role in supporting vulnerable children and promoting social mobility. By providing safe spaces for young people to learn, socialize, and develop, these organizations help break down barriers and enable individuals to reach their full potential.
. Growing up in a society where everyone's so busy, it's amazing how much of a difference these community centers can make. My niece was super shy but at the club, she made friends who became like family to her 
. It breaks my heart when I hear about youth clubs closing down because it's like taking away a lifeline from kids like Layla. The research is spot on - socialization and support during that critical adolescence age are key 
. We need more of these places, not less!
! Playgrounds and youth clubs are literally the best thing since sliced bread for vulnerable kids. It's not just about playtime, it's about building those relationships and trust with staff who actually care 
. I mean, can you imagine if we didn't have places like that? It's crazy to think how different things would be for kids who need a safe space to express themselves and grow. Layla's story is so inspiring, and I'm sure she's not alone in her experiences 
. We should be supporting these services even more, not cutting funding 
. The research on youth club closures is insane - it's like we're playing with fire if we don't get this right 
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u can see the impact it has on ppl like layla, who was able tot open up about her issues @ the club 
its not just about havin a place 2 hang out, its about buildin relationships & trust w/ young people 2 help dem overcome challenges u got the stats from london 2 prove that youth clubs r crucial 4 academic success & less crime rates 
. I mean, they're literally the backbone of supporting vulnerable kids and helping them get into better life situations. It's crazy that some council in London had to shut down all these facilities just because it wasn't a priority... newsflash: it should be 
. These places aren't just about playgrounds (although, let's be real, who doesn't love a good playground?! 
), they're about creating a safe space for kids to talk about their stuff and get help when they need it most. We need more councils that are willing to invest in these services ASAP 
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They're not just a nicety, they're a necessity!
Layla Morgan's story is really inspiring, you know? She was able to open up about her struggles and found support at the youth club. That's what we need more of – people who care! 
The research on youth club closures in London is pretty eye-openin' too. It's like, these places aren't just for havin' fun, they're for helpin' kids develop into awesome adults. 
. Like, these youth clubs and playgrounds aren't just about giving kids a place to hang out, they're actually providing them with the support and resources they need to deal with their stuff 
. And it's not just about individual kids like Layla Morgan, it's about creating a whole community of young people who can lift each other up 
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. I mean, it's not rocket science, but we do need more awareness about how important social connections are for young people's mental health 
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. Its clear that these places provide so much more than just a safe space – they offer a sense of belonging and support that can really help kids thrive in adolescence 
They're not just a nice-to-have, they're a must-have for young people's development. And can we talk about how important it is for kids to have a sense of belonging during adolescence? It's like, the foundation for their future success!
We should be focusing on building relationships with our young people, not just throwing them at the system. Layla Morgan's story is so inspiring - she was able to talk about her struggles because someone listened. That's what we need more of, not less.
and btw what's up with the london study?? seems kinda weird that they found a link between closure & crime rates 
. And it's not just about the kids, either - their parents and caregivers need support too.
. We need more places like this, where kids can just be themselves and have a sense of belonging 
We need to give our kids a chance to grow up with some semblance of normalcy. The research on youth club closures is eye-opening – it's no wonder those kids ended up struggling academically and even in crime. We need more community centers, playgrounds, and support groups for vulnerable kids.