Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

18 move on. It offers free internet access, access to local newspapers, CV updates and use of phone and fax. All Teen Talk services can be accessed by young people who are NEET. They have a weekly Coffee Club of 18-25 year olds in both Harwich and Clacton. These groups provide peer support for young people to develop their confidence and aspirations and Teen talk most commonly sees young people undertaking volunteering, training, college or securing employment having participated in the groups. They also provide a youth volunteering programme to help young people develop the skills they need to progress onto volunteering, training and employment. 5 WORKING AGE ADULTS 5.1 Socio-Economic and Other Challenges 5.1.1 Tendring has some key characteristics shaping the prospects of working age residents. Employment in service industries, health and education are higher than average, with wealth generating industries being underrepresented. The total workforce as a proportion of the population is lower than average, with 57% of working age (Essex average 63%/England 65%). The workforce has a higher than average age, with 37% being over 50yrs (Essex 32%/England 29%). There is a lower than average number of people with formal qualifications at 34% (Essex 24%/England 22%). Whilst employment levels overall are in line with national averages, 41% of those jobs are part time (nationally 32%), perhaps reflecting the generally older workforce and high number of jobs in service industries. Jobs are concentrated in the towns, notably Clacton and Harwich. Growth projections to 2029 reflect a lower than average economic growth rate. 12 There are also a number of social challenges for working age adults emerging from the mapping exercise and stakeholder feedback. 5.1.2 There are pockets of affluence across the district but this does not equate to social inclusion. Evidence suggests that those experiencing social exclusion in rural areas are dispersed in areas of apparent affluence so do not attract the same level of attention as those in problem areas; transport can also be a major barrier to social inclusion. 13 In these areas our stakeholders report low uptake from new volunteers moving into the community, many will be working outside Tendring and not tend to want to participate in community activities or volunteering. Stakeholders stress how new groups must be sustainable if they are to flourish and survive, they must be embedded into communities and not just "bolted on". Some long established social and exercise groups are in jeopardy as ageing volunteers retire and no one is coming forward to take them over. 5.1.3 The Tendring health profile shows an above average number of adults in Tendring who are overweight and inactive but notably there is no evidence of regular community services aimed at helping people improve their diet through their food preparation. 5.1.4 The health profile also demonstrates that Tendring has a high number of hospital admissions and alcohol related harm (the highest in Essex at 770 vs. 589 Essex average). There are gaps in alcohol services in a number of areas, such as Walton on the Naze which has no provision. 5.1.5 Feedback from stakeholders suggests that support for families with children can be challenging to obtain, particularly early intervention and ongoing support. There are a number of groups and activities available for families with pre-school children, but far fewer for the families of junior age groups. 12 Regeneris Consulting: Tendring Socio-Economic Baseline 2013 13 Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Exclusive Countryside? Social Inclusion and regeneration in rural areas 2000