What you wanted from I.Y.Y.

Press, 15 January 1986, Page 12

What you wanted from I.Y.Y.

1985 was International Youth Year. So “The Press” youth reporters, LIZ ROWE and SUE LANCASTER, asked some young Christchurch people what they thought of the year.

We took to the streets of Christchurch and talked to 11 people aged 15 to 25. Only one of them knew that last year had been I.Y.Y.

Brian Hewson, aged 20, had heard it mentioned once on television, but had not taken part in any activities.

We asked the 11 people what they thought should have happened during 1.Y.Y., what could be done to help young people, and what they of young people and Christchurch in general.

All agreed that I.Y.Y. should have been more widely advertised through schools, newspapers, television, and radio.

The main concerns of those we talked to were employment and entertainment.

Toda/s article does not summarise what happened during 1.Y.Y.. It’s about what others thought.

We also asked three people who were actively involved with the year what their opinions were and what they believe should happen next.

Kiri Calvert, aged 17, airwoman. . “Young people need more guidance about things — about getting jobs, general things, like how to live properly. “They should have tried to help them to get jobs and set up more schemes like S.T.E.P.S.”

Brian Hewson, left, aged 20, shopworker. “I really don’t know if young people have it so badly, but I do disagree with the youth rates of pay.” Gari Wilson, right, aged 17, kitchen hand. “More night clubs are needed, and other socialising places for guys and girls who can’t get into the pub ... There aren’t enough concerts. We need a. few more rock concerts.”

Nicki Lay, aged 25, teacher. “We need more people employed in helping those without jobs. It’s a load of rubbish, the way people say the youth of today are worse than 20 years ago. That doesn’t mean there aren’t people who need help, but it all boils down to money, really.”

Corrina Niven, aged 15, unemployed. “They should open another youth centre ... in Edgeware or Papanui ... The street kids need more accommodation. You see them all the time ;.. People say they care, but don’t do anything about it.”

Michelle Hunter, aged 24, housewife. “Young people need better employment schemes, and more entertainment.”

Scott Patterson, aged 17, unemployed. “Christchurch is horrible. There’s nothing to do ... I’ve tried heaps of jobs, but I’m going back to Australia.”

Michael de Havilland, aged 15, student. “We need more youth centres away from town for young people who find it more difficult to get to town.”

Thomas Solomon, aged 25, bush contractor. “They should have more things for young people to do in the country. In Rangiora there is nothing really for them to do except sit around in the streets.”

Tracy Radford, aged 22, hairdresser. “A lot more things to do at night are needed ... Pm quite happy with my age group, but it’s a shame what the young people are getting into at the moment, like glue sniffing. It’s boredom, and the age they are at They haven’t got the money to spend on other things.”

Monique Wouters, aged 22, social worker. “We need places for young people to go — cheap, nice, clean-type venues. It’s just sheer boredom, why they get into trouble. I think a lot of them .. their parents really need to look after them a lot more ... They also need more services where they can go if they need help.”