The document proposes a research project to understand how to best meet the needs of teenagers in Blackburn with Darwen for recreational activities. It summarizes: 1) Previous small-scale research found most teenagers prefer a new skateboarding venue. 2) The proposed research team has already done some preliminary work and can provide evidence of matching funds. 3) The research aims to understand teenagers' interests and barriers to accessing existing facilities through quantitative and qualitative surveys, with the goal of informing a new recreational space for teenagers.

1. Somewhere to……
Blackburn with Darwen – the hidden
opportunities.

2. Somewhere to - skateboard
• Preliminary qualitative
and quantitative research
already undertaken.
• Surveys and filmed
interviews with local
teenagers collated.
• Preferred option - new
skateboarding venue
within Blackburn with
Darwen, with easy access
for all young people.

3. Why choose us?
• We have already
undertaken our own
small scale research.
• We will demonstrate a
connection with the
young people of
Blackburn with Darwen.
• We are able to produce
evidence of ‘match
funding’ available for this
research.

4. Lancashire Police and Crime
Commissioner
• Clive Gunshaw has established a new anti social
behaviour initiative.
• His new ‘commissioning’ powers are a new
source of revenue.
• Collaboration with Lancashire County Council
has ensured that research grants will be ‘match
funded’.
• Targets young people aged between 16 – 25.

5. Flexible space, 30,000 square feet of
limitless options!
• Manner Sutton Street. • Square footage would
• Disused bus depot. provide:
• Not in a residential area. Skateboard ramp.
• Ground floor space. BMX obstacles.
• Has the appropriate roof Café area.
height required for Recreation space – this
ramps. could be geared towards
• Location – outskirts of music and drama.
the town centre.

7. Leah – talking to teens
• Filmed interviews with
young people from
Blackburn.
• Used quantitative and
qualitative survey
techniques.
• With your research grant,
we would expand and
extend our survey
sample.

8. Qualitative versus Quantitative
• Qualitative research • Quantitative research is
enables you to provide in generalised.
depth, detailed results. • It is an objective
• Accurate and specific approach – it asks broad
data. questions of its subjects.
• Subjective – we ask what • Results are value free and
and why? unbiased.
• Researcher involved in • Researcher is separate
the process. from the process.

9. Our quantitative survey
• We asked 16 – 25 year olds the following question:
“If a space becomes available what activities
would you like to use it for”?
Options in a tick box format were –
BMX/skateboarding, singing, film, sport, music and
drama or other.
How old are you? Are you male or female?

10. Aime – a qualitative approach
• Use a smaller age range,
for example 15 – 17 year
olds.
• Use video to record the
answers of the sample
group.
• Use social media – email,
facebook and twitter.

11. Understanding why…
• “We don’t enjoy hanging around,
especially not in winter, but there is
nowhere else for us to go so that’s
what we have to do it we want to see
our friends ”. (Liam Foster aged 13).
• “Just because I am young and I hang
out with a big gang of friends, they
think I look like trouble ”. (Sian Burdett
aged 14).

12. Hobbies and Interests
• About one third of teens
were unable to identify a
talent, interest or hobby
that they were passionate
about. (
www.keepyourchildsafe.org)
• Fewer than half who did
have a hobby, said they
were supported and
encouraged at school.

13. • In 2006, the C21 Project was awarded £500,000
in lottery funding

14. • 2009 • Nesta – National
Endowment for Science,
Technology, and the Arts &
Big Lottery Fund (BIG)
• 2010
• An opportunity ‘snowball’
sample has already shown
that over 50% of 16-17 year
old were interested in a skate
park facility

15. The fly in the ointment?
• Barriers faced by young
people in accessing
facilities:
• Transport
• Prohibitive cost
• Accessibility for all

16. Conclusion
• We have the infrastructure in • It’s time for ‘Somewhereto’
place to build upon research to arrive in Blackburn with
already instigated. Darwen – our team can
• We have obtained assurances facilitate a successful project,
of ‘match funding’ if you through the collection and
choose our research team. analysis of the research we
• We have shown our hope to undertake for you.
methodology and our
detailed plan for collating
information.
• We can deliver this research
in the time frame set out by
you.

17. Research team.
• Louise Bours
• Leah Dickinson
• Rachel Gilkes
• Aime McDonald