At least one in seven young people in Shrewsbury are living in poverty and many fear they will not achieve their life goals, new research has revealed.
The figures released yesterday, Wednesday, come just days after the town’s new mayor, Councillor Tony Durnell, pledged to dedicate his year in office to helping disadvantaged youngsters.
Outgoing mayor Kath Owen with new mayor Tony Durnell.
A report carried out by youth charity The Prince’s Trust warns of the rise of a ‘youth underclass’. It is calling on all sectors to work with charities to help disadvantaged young people break out of poverty and turn their lives around through work or enterprise.
The report is based on nationwide research conducted by End Child Poverty. Its findings show 14 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds in Shrewsbury and Atcham are living in poverty.
It defines poverty as those families who receive out of work benefits or in-work tax credits whose reported income is 60 per cent less than the average.
Other examples include children not having their own bed and parents struggling to put food on the table due to a lack of money.
The research also highlights how the poor believe they will never be able to buy a nice house or secure a job in the future, with some fearing they would ‘end up in a dead-end job’ or ‘end up on benefits for at least part of their lives’.
Cllr Durnell, who took over as mayor during a ceremony on Monday, pledged to do all he could for the young people of Shrewsbury, who were in danger of ‘missing out’ due to council cuts.
He said: “In these trying times I want to get young people off the streets and involved in useful community projects.
“It is a very sad situation, poverty can demoralise young people and make them feel like they have failed.
“There are many families of four or five children that can only really afford to fund one child. That is why I am all about trying to get as many free things for kids to do as possible, it helps boost their social skills and confidence”
Cllr Durnell added he would ‘turn everything upside down’ during his year in office.
Meanwhile, Simon Mason, who helps run the Trinity Money Advice Centre at Trinity Churches in Meole Brace, told the Chronicle he has seen a significant increase in enquiries and referrals since the new year, the majority of which revolve around poverty or debt.
Cllr Durnell will be officially sworn in as mayor at a civic service at St Chad’s Church on Sunday.
by Charlotte Hester and Catherine Ferris