More than 20,000 young people from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have shared their views on the issues that matter to them – from vaping and relationships to discrimination and loneliness – as part of a pioneering youth-centred wellbeing programme.
The #BeeWell programme seeks to improve young people’s wellbeing based on their direct feedback. It is working with Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Isle of Wight Council, and Portsmouth City Council to run annual surveys with young people across the region and to drive community action in response to the findings.
The second and latest survey in the region was undertaken in Autumn 2024 and completed by 20,348 Year 9 and 10 students across 89 schools, including 10 special schools. This represents 47% of young people in these year groups across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton.
Young people themselves continue to lead the response to the survey data through the #BeeWell youth steering group, which has identified 6 key priorities to focus on in the coming year, based on the following key findings:
- Vaping
- Relationships with family and friends
- Discrimination
- Feeling Safe
- Loneliness
- Promoting wellbeing through arts and culture
Commenting on these priorities, Henry, a young person on the local #BeeWell youth steering group, said:
“The results of the survey reflect the clear issues that we face as young people. This is especially clear in the levels of discrimination that the survey reports, as well as the rise in vaping in teenagers. We need to use these findings to drive action across our communities to ensure the issues that we face are being addressed effectively.”
The #BeeWell findings continue to inform activity across the region, with schools, voluntary sector organisations, and children’s services working closely with young people to interpret and act on the results.
James Roberston, #BeeWell’s National Director, said:
“It’s inspiring to see so much action taking place in response to the latest #BeeWell data in Hampshire. Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. But there is more work to do to turn the tide on the decline in young people’s wellbeing, and we’re excited to work with partners and schools to understand this year’s data, and what we can do to support young people to thrive.”
I would like to see the survey questions that these young people answered for the survey.
I will then be able to make my own mind up on how accurate the results are after determining if the questions are pre loaded to produce these results.
Loads of free stuff.
I thought youngsters were not able to buy Vapes,
they are getting them from somewhere.
Just look at all the youngsters vaping (shocking)