'We see children that are reluctant to go places'

Crofts Corner is a community building in Bretton on the north-western edge of Peterborough

A city youth club director said it had become increasingly difficult to encourage some young people to go out and socialise.

"We see children and families that are still really reluctant to go places," said Cherry Lester, director at Families First Peterborough (FFP).

"We're still feeling the impact of the pandemic."

Danielle Daboh, Peterborough's 15-year-old Youth MP, called for the next government to make young people's issues a priority.

FFP runs sessions at Crofts Corner in Bretton, on the north-western edge of Peterborough, for secondary school age children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities.

Ms Lester said everyone was welcome, and youth workers drove around the city to pick up children who lived further away.

If a child has any special educational needs, or is facing mental health challenges, they take extra steps to make them welcome.

"Parents are happy for their children to come here because they know we'll look after them and it's a safe place to be," she said.

"We do home visits and might take them out for a one-to-one over coffee just to build up a rapport."

'Peterborough's good'

Evie, 15, and her friend also called Evie, 14, said they liked coming to Crofts Corner to do crafts and play games

With the general election coming up on 4 July, the BBC has been asking people what issues matter to them.

Evie, 15, and her friend also called Evie, 14, go to Crofts Corner every week.

They gave each other a big hug when they met up and began chatting on a big swing in the garden.

"Peterborough's good, it depends on how you see it," said Evie, 14.

"Bretton is a good area really - you've got shops, primary schools, a park and Crofts Corner."

Evie, 15, thought too many young people were out on the streets using vapes.

"When I see young people round my age out they usually have vapes," she said.

"They act like adults with how they dress and everything."

'Youth zones'

Danielle Daboh supports the idea of more funding for "youth zones"

Danielle Daboh, 15, is one of Peterborough's two youth MPs and was elected earlier this year.

Her job, alongside her counterpart Pranav Aggarwal, is to be a voice for young people in Peterborough and on the UK Youth Parliament.

Danielle said she wanted more safe places to be available for young people in the city.

"Funding towards affordable youth zones for young people would give them more options when going out and to socialise," she said.

She called for the next government to support an initiative called "Children at The Table", which wants policymakers to put children's needs and voices at the heart of decision-making.

"I'd like to see young people's issues being a priority," Danielle said.