The children who miss out on after-school sports amid cost of living crisis

18 October 2023 , 23:01

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Many children are missing out on the joy of sports (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Around 1.3 million youngsters are missing out on out-of-school activities because of the cost of living crisis, a youth charity says.

Many parents are being forced to cut back on non-essential items. Sport and fitness are the most likely activities to be ditched, followed by trips and days out, and dance and drama, according to the Generation Isolation report from charity OnSide. Chief executive Jamie Masraff said the cost of living crisis is having a devastating effect on youngsters.

He added: “It’s effectively locking them down all over again. High prices are condemning this generation to further loneliness.” OnSide quizzed 5,000 people aged between 11 and 18 as part of the study in association with YouGov. Over three-quarters said they spend their free time on screens.

Kids revealed their parents had sold items such as bicycles to pay for food. Some kids had to give up sport as parents could not afford kit or to get them to games. Mum-of-five Laura Bishton, 35, said of an OnSide centre in Wolverhampton: “If this wasn’t here my children wouldn’t be doing these activities as it would cost too much.

Many youngsters said parents had sold bicycles to pay for food (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"I’m a single parent and the cost of living crisis has had a big impact on my budget. I spend hours looking online at supermarket prices now to make sure I’m getting the best deal. I tell the children to put on their dressing gowns if they’re cold, so we don’t have to turn the heating on till it’s absolutely necessary.”

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OnSide Chief Executive Jamie Masraff said: “Our survey lays bare the devastating effect that the cost of living crisis is having on young people. It’s effectively locking them down all over again. We know the pandemic increased isolation for children and teenagers. Now high prices are condemning this generation to further loneliness, reducing opportunities to take part in activities in a safe space or socialise face-to-face.”

Martin Fricker