Young Brent Survey

Executive Summary
9
Voluntary Sector Organisations outcomes
66% VSO had no contract income
86% VSO had the same or growing needs
29% VSO were reducing services
14% VSO were at risk of closure
Zero % VSO were growing or expanding services
50% VSO had mission drift-funding incompatible with objects
Many VSOs had scaled down their operations and were showing signs of decline, with none
expanding their services. When asked about their daily needs, 40% saw face-to-face advice and
consultation as their greatest need (see page33)..
Summary of key topics raised by all groups surveyed.
Space
Lack of affordable space for service delivery was a key issue affecting YBF members, while
other VSOs felt that there was a lack of space generally for young people to go to receive
face-to-face services or socialise with peers. Young people’s feedback also saw space as a
prominent issue. They wanted more outdoor and unstructured time-out spaces where
they could let off steam, be noisy or get exercise in a sport to get away from their homes
and computers.
.
Lack of signposting
YBF members in the workshop outcomes identified poor signposting as an area of
weakness and VSOs raised postcode barriers. Both groups raised poorly joined up service
provision. The YBF Directory of Members was cited by both groups as an important
milestone and step towards addressing local needs of young people and their families.
Gangs and violence
Rising gang violence and crime were prominent outcomes of great concern across the
entire Brent community and were raised by all groups surveyed, including young people
themselves. Rising crime with YBF members was closely linked with lack of spaces within
the borough and the closure of several youth community places (see pages 24 and 41).
YBF members also raised concerns that rising violence affected the daily running of their
services. Fear of gangs and travel in known gang territories prevented some parents and
young people taking up services, There was fear for staff safety, with added costs to add
security to ensure staff were safe and supported. Both YBF members and other VSOs
thought more action from the community overall was needed to address rising crime.
There was also a clear linkage made by all groups of rising crime linked to areas of social
deprivation. It is clear from the map of YBF members on page 46, and on the map of
gangs and crime on page 47, that both are operating side by side. YBF members are
operating in areas of greatest need and public benefit.