Young islanders concerned about their future

Dr Nicola Brink is wearing a pink jacket as she sits in a room and smiling directly at the camera. She has pale blonde hair and glasses.

Image source, Charlie Le Noury/BBCImage caption,

Dr Nicola Brink said young people "cared deeply" about their future in Guernsey

ByJulia GregoryChannel Islands

Published49 minutes ago

Less than a third of students have said they feel confident they would stay in the island, a government survey has shown.

Some 27% of 16 to 24-year-olds said they were worried about housing, the rising cost of living, travel costs and the opportunities Guernsey offered them after their studies finished.

Director of public health Dr Nicola Brink said: "Young people care deeply about their future here, but many are uncertain whether the Bailiwick can offer them an affordable, sustainable and fulfilling life as they move into adulthood."

The Medical Officer Health Report showed 36% were sure they would leave, blaming a lack of career opportunities, social and shopping choices and poor weather.

An aerial view of Guernsey on a sunny day. It shows the harbour and harbour wall in St Peter Port, with Castel Cornet on the far side.

Image caption,

The report showed some young people were unsure whether their future lies in Guernsey

A further 37% said they were unsure whether their future would be on the island.

Brink asked 200 young people from the Youth Forum, the Guernsey Institute and the Sixth Form Centre about their hopes and fears for life in the island.

The responses showed the students valued safety in the island, together with its community, natural beauty and beaches.

Road transport was the biggest current concern for young islanders, who highlighted the cost of fuel, state of the roads, closures and amount of traffic.

Their second biggest concern was a lack of things to do, with some young people calling winter a "snoozefest", when they found it harder to find affordable activities to take part in with their friends.

'Not heard'

In the report some young people raised their concerns about education and said they were unhappy about a lack of teachers for specific subjects, a high turnover of teachers and the poor state of some of the school buildings.

Some of the students also said they did not feel that the government listened to their concerns and they felt they had a lack of influence over decision-making.

Brink said: "They have also told us that they do not always feel heard.

"Listening is important, but listening alone is not enough, we must also act on what they are telling us."

She said they were the "next generation of our workforce and community leaders" and their voices should be central to decisions about the island's future.

The Medical Officer Health Report said: "This sense of limited agency may contribute to disengagement and reduced well-being, while also shaping expectations about the future."

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