Latest news with #GuernseyCommunityFoundation
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Young people 'apprehensive' about future in Guernsey
"I just don't know if I'm going to be able to afford to live here," says Myles Duquemin."Like many, many young people here now who are just looking for a way out."His words echo those of a new study by the Guernsey Community Foundation (GCF) which found young people do not see a future in the island and are being "driven away" by rising living costs. The report is the first of its kind and makes a number of observations based on previously published data and a survey of 3,000 islanders. Myles says his family has lived on the island for "longer than anyone can probably remember"."It doesn't make me feel great, all my family are here. A lot of my friends have already left," he said."If I leave the island now, I might not ever come back because I won't be able to afford to." Lilleth Tolley was raised in Guernsey and is currently studying digital forensic investigation at university in said coming back to Guernsey when she has finished studying was "not realistic" because of the cost of prices on the island are "just completely unaffordable to the average person", she average rental property in Guernsey is £2,037 a month, and people renting are paying 50% more than five years ago."A lot of the public don't realise how bad it is," said Lilleth. "Parents want their kids out at 18 to give their kids independence. Their kids want to be out and have independence."A lot of Lilleth's friends were originally planning on staying in Guernsey but now there are "serious conversations going on" and "people making plans and saving up to move to the UK".
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Young people driven away from Guernsey by high prices
Guernsey's young people do not see a future in the island, according to a new study. The Quality of Life Report 2025 was compiled by the Guernsey Community Foundation (GCF) which found young people were being "driven away" by rising living also found that 22% of pensioners,19% of children and 17% of working age adults lived in relative poverty in Roberts, the foundation's chief executive and co-author of the report, said it was "intended to stimulate discussion before and after the election". The report is the first of its kind and makes a number of observations based on previously published data and a survey of 3,000 report found that 5% of islanders, about 3,200 people, often go without essentials like food and heating. 'Forced to share beds' Half (51%) of the poorest households do not have carpets or floor coverings in every room and more than a third (38%) do not have a bed for every person in the report found that in some cases the lack of a bed was down to cost, but more often it was due to a lack of bedrooms, so family members were forced to share beds. The GCF is a charitable organisation that conducts research, proposes changes to social policy and works with other charities to connect people in need in Roberts said the effects of poverty did "not appear to be fully or widely appreciated".He said the high cost of living meant "Guernsey is driving its people away"."Concerns about rising living costs and difficulties finding somewhere affordable to live are forcing some residents, especially young families, to move away, or to plan to move away. "Even though they want to stay, they don't see a future here, and that should concern us all." 'Young people suffering' Mr Roberts said the report also highlighted that young people are experiencing more bullying and have lower self-esteem than ever before."A lot of the island's young people are hurting. Low self-esteem, bullying, poor mental health, anxiety about the future."They are growing up in an island that is different to the one that their parents and their grandparents grew up in."The rate of high self esteem among pupils at schools dropped by 22% between 2016 and next general election is on 18 June 2025 - see a full list of the candidates here.
