Resort second worst place for girls in UK - report

Girls from the United Youth Alliance put forward their ideas to improve the lives of females in Blackpool

Girls growing up in Blackpool face some of the toughest challenges in the country to achieve their dreams, a new report has revealed.

The seaside resort has emerged as the second worst area for young women behind North East Lincolnshire.

Barriers identified included poor education opportunities, health inequality and feeling unsafe on the streets.

The Plan UK State of Girls Report was a study of almost 3,000 young females conducted by girls’ rights charity Plan International UK.

'Amplified voices'

Girls from Blackpool's United Youth Alliance put forward their ideas on how to improve things, with some suggesting living near beaches and green spaces could help their mental health.

While many said they were proud of where they lived, they also warned of how the challenges of living in a deprived community where skilled jobs can be scarce could hold them back, the report said.

The report said the unofficial young farmers’ weekend held in Blackpool in May was singled out among events which led young women to feel unsafe in public places.

"Groups still arrive each year to 'display behaviour so feral that many women, other locals, and families, steer well clear'," it said.

The Young Farmers Community which organises the event has been contacted for comment.

Evie, 14, who took part in workshops in Blackpool, said it was "quite a good place to live, because there are so many opportunities in which people can band together".

She remained optimistic, despite the challenges, adding: "Even in places where people struggle, there’s opportunity to change that."

Genna, 15, said: "I love being a part of the social group that I’m in, the United Youth Alliance, because that also gives you another voice and more opportunities to improve the area that you live in.”

Suggestions from the Blackpool workshops to enhance girls' lives included:

• Improving safety on buses

• Provide bus passes for travel to school and work

• Increasing funding for schools to support students struggling with their mental health

• Work with the police force to make girls and young women feel safer in reporting violence

Blackpool Council leader, Lynn Williams, said she was keen to examine how their recommendations could be incorporated into what the authority was already doing.

She said it was already running the #itstopshere campaign to try "to end harassment and violence towards women and girls".

"We are really pleased that women and girls in our community have contributed so strongly to the report and that it has been an opportunity for their voices to be amplified."

Deborah Terras, director of Blackpool-based United Youth Alliance, said the report highlighted the need to invest in youth work provision as well as "address inequalities young women still face in education and career opportunities and leadership".

Rose Caldwell, of Plan International UK, said it showed how girls "still face barriers to leading healthy lives, obtaining a well-rounded education, and feeling safe and protected".

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