Having safe and accessible places to play, socialise, and relax is crucial for supporting young people’s mental health. But do children and young people in Northern Ireland feel they have enough of these spaces? Our surveys have revealed fascinating insights into how recreational spaces affect young people’s well-being and what improvements could make a real difference.
The Current Landscape: Do Young People Have Enough Places
to Go?
Our surveys of over 200 children and young people across
Northern Ireland show mixed views about the availability of safe and
recreational spaces:
Under-14s:
- 60%
say there are enough safe places to play and hang out where they live
- 26%
report not having enough safe spaces
- 14%
are unsure
Over-14s:
- 46%
feel there are enough recreational spaces in their area
- 27%
say there aren’t enough recreational spaces
- 27%
are unsure
These figures highlight that while many young people do have
access to spaces that they consider adequate, a significant proportion—roughly
one in four—feel their areas lack sufficient safe places to spend time.
Regional Variations: Not All Areas Are Equal
Our data shows striking differences across council areas in
Northern Ireland:
Areas with Better Access to Safe Spaces (Under-14s):
- Mid
and East Antrim: 74% report having enough safe spaces
- Ards
and North Down: 60% say there are enough safe places
Areas with Limited Safe Spaces (Under-14s):
- Causeway
Coast and Glens: Only 38% report having enough safe spaces
- Belfast:
57% report enough safe spaces, but 34% say there aren’t enough
Recreational Spaces for Older Youth:
- Belfast:
51% of over-14s report having enough recreational spaces
- Derry
and Strabane: Only 38% report having enough recreational spaces
These variations suggest that some council areas may need to
prioritise investment in youth-friendly spaces more than others.
The Gender Perspective
Interestingly, our data reveals some gender differences in
perceptions of recreational spaces:
- 67%
of boys under 14 report having enough safe spaces compared to 55%
of girls
- 49%
of males over 14 feel there are enough recreational spaces compared to 43%
of females
While not dramatic, these differences suggest that
recreational spaces may not always feel equally accessible or appealing to all
genders.
The Link Between Safe Spaces and Mental Wellbeing
Perhaps the most compelling finding is the strong
correlation between access to safe spaces and overall mental wellbeing:
For Under-14s:
- Among
those who report having enough safe spaces, 69% had “more
happy days” in the previous week
- For
those who don’t have enough safe spaces, only 45% reported having
“more happy days”
- Those
lacking safe spaces were more than twice as likely to report having
“more sad days” (10% vs 4.5%)
For Over-14s:
- 60%
of those with enough recreational spaces rated their mental health as
“happy” or “very happy”
- For
those without enough recreational spaces, only 54% rated their
mental health positively
- Those
lacking recreational spaces were more likely to rate their mental health
as “unhappy” (11.5% vs 2.2%)
These statistics clearly demonstrate that having access to
good recreational spaces is associated with better mental health outcomes.
Safe Spaces and Communication Skills
The data also suggests that safe spaces may help young
people develop better emotional communication skills:
- 61%
of under-14s with enough safe spaces find it “easy” or
“very easy” to talk about feelings when sad
- Only
41% of those without enough safe spaces find it easy to talk about
feelings
- Those
without safe spaces are nearly twice as likely to find it “really
hard” to talk about feelings
This connection between safe spaces and communication skills
is particularly important since the ability to talk about feelings is a key
factor in maintaining good mental health.
What Makes a Good Space for Young People?
When we asked young people what activities help them feel
good or maintain their mental wellbeing, many of their answers involved spaces
and places:
Popular spaces mentioned by under-14s:
- Youth
clubs
- Sports
facilities (football pitches, hockey clubs)
- Outdoor
spaces to play with friends
- Safe
places to hang out with friends
Spaces valued by over-14s:
- Youth
clubs and projects
- Gyms
and fitness facilities
- Walking
routes and outdoor spaces
- Places
for creative activities
These preferences show that young people value a diverse
range of spaces that allow for physical activity, social connection, and
creative expression.
Youth Clubs: A Vital Safe Space
Youth clubs and projects emerged as particularly important
safe spaces for young people’s mental wellbeing:
- An
impressive 94% of under-14s who have enough safe spaces feel that
youth clubs provide adequate mental health support
- 89%
of over-14s with enough recreational spaces report that youth projects
provide good mental health support
Even among those who feel their area lacks recreational
spaces, youth clubs are still viewed positively, with 54% of over-14s
saying youth projects provide enough mental health support despite the overall
lack of spaces.
Recommendations for Creating Better Spaces
Based on our findings, here are the key recommendations for
improving spaces for young people:
For Local Councils and Community Planners:
- Target
areas with the biggest gaps: Prioritise investment in areas where
young people report insufficient safe spaces, particularly Causeway Coast
and Glens, and parts of Belfast
- Consider
gender-inclusive design: Create spaces that appeal to all genders and
address the slightly lower satisfaction among girls and young women
- Support
existing youth clubs: Enhance funding for youth projects, which young
people clearly value as safe spaces that support mental health
For Youth Workers and Service Providers:
- Maximise
existing spaces: Even with limited resources, ensure available spaces
feel safe, welcoming and inclusive
- Provide
communication opportunities: Use recreational spaces to help young
people develop skills in talking about feelings
- Combine
physical activity with social connection: Offer activities that
combine movement with friendship-building
For Schools:
- Expand
after-hours access: Where possible, make school facilities available
outside school hours as safe spaces for young people
- Partner
with community organisations: Work with local youth projects to
maximise use of available spaces
- Create
quiet spaces: Ensure there are calm areas where young people can take
breaks and process emotions
Success Stories: What Works Well
Despite the challenges, many young people do report positive
experiences with recreational spaces in Northern Ireland. The activities they
value include:
- Structured
youth club programmes that balance fun with emotional support
- Outdoor
walking spaces combined with opportunities to talk and connect
- Sports
facilities that focus on participation rather than just competition
- Creative
spaces that allow for self-expression through art, music or drama
These successful approaches share common elements: they
combine physical spaces with supportive relationships, structured activities,
and opportunities for both social connection and personal development.
The Way Forward: Creating More and Better Spaces
Our data clearly shows that having access to safe
recreational spaces is strongly associated with better mental health outcomes
for young people in Northern Ireland. By investing in these spaces—particularly
in areas where they’re currently lacking—we can make a significant positive
impact on youth wellbeing.
The good news is that young people are clear about what they
need: safe places to play and hang out, structured activities that support
their mental health, and spaces that allow for both physical activity and
social connection.
Join the Conversation
Do you want to help shape better spaces for young people in
Northern Ireland? Visit the Voices
for Impact website to share your views through our surveys. Your input will
help build a more comprehensive picture of what young people need to thrive.
If you work with young people, please encourage them to
participate in our surveys and share what they think makes a great space for
supporting mental wellbeing. Together, we can ensure all young people have
access to the safe, supportive spaces they need.
This article is based on data from 112 under-14s and 97
over-14s who completed the Good Health and Well-being surveys through the
Voices for Impact platform between January and April 2025. Read more of our
blogs at www.voicesforimpact.ai
or www.bytes.org.
