We asked on Instagram and Facebook: What’s missing for teenagers in Harrow right now?
The responses posted on both socials weren’t over the top or dramatic. They felt honest and a bit frustrated with every day life. A bit tired of the same situation.
Back in the 1980s and 90s, there were loads of youth and sports clubs in the borough, more than enough to keep you busy on weeknights after school. If you were in a football team, you could easily train twice a week and still go to a youth club on another two. Those days seem long gone.
One young person wrote: “Actually interesting things to do around Harrow other than places to eat. Yes, there are cinemas and stuff, but those places are expensive. We don’t have jobs and many teenagers don’t get money from parents to do things with their friends, so we just walk around seeing if there is anything interesting. We’ve seen everything that’s cheap, somewhat fun and safe to do.”
That line about just walking around stood out. For a lot of teens, that’s what it comes down to. If you don’t have money, you’re limited to just ‘hanging around’ in shopping centres, parks or outside shops.
Busycatuk on Instagram commented: “Youth clubs, apprenticeships, Saturday jobs, leisure areas.”
It’s simple, but it came up again and again, places to go and ways to earn money were key.
Ben Scott wrote: “Cheaper event spaces for people to start running their own events. Council-owned community centres for young people and young adults that give opportunities to start businesses with potential funding. More youth clubs and activity centres funded by the council. Cheaper holiday clubs for half term and holidays for working parents on low wages or benefits. More welcoming creative space for young artists in the borough.”
Others were more concerned about the bigger picture, not just in Harrow, but across the country.
One comment said: “Education is missing for teenagers right now. Teenagers in the UK are getting into gangs, crime, drugs, addiction to online gambling, stealing and anti-social behaviour.”
But that view didn’t go unchallenged.
Julia Elmer wrote: “I find the negativity about teenagers on this thread heartbreaking. What hope do our young people have if the older generation have this sort of prejudice against them? The Harrow teens I know are wonderful young people. They want to do well and are keen to give back. They are smart and articulate. We have some amazing young people in the area if they are just given a chance.”
There were also straightforward suggestions from long standing members.
Gary James said: “Youth centres, boxing clubs and good activities with youth workers.”
Claire Mendonça-Yeboah added: “Free and safe clubs, youth centres and social spaces for them to gather to learn a trade, sport, craft, business skills, life skills and finance skills.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
