YOUNG Cumbrians feel disengaged from their communities and lack opportunities, a new report reveals.

The survey commissioned by Young Cumbria has called for a bigger focus on youth services in the county.

Young Cumbria's Chief Executive, Kathleen Newson said: “This report shows that many young people in Cumbria are facing problems dealing with issues such as drugs, depression and bullying and they are concerned about their futures.

“The report also found that they often feel they are being ignored and not getting enough support to deal with these difficult issues.

“Young people are the future of this county and we need to invest in giving them the support they need.”

The report found that although two-thirds of the young people surveyed for the report were mostly or really hopeful about their futures, as many as one in three young people were more negative about becoming adults.

Young people identified friendships and close-knit communities as advantages of living in Cumbria but they are concerned about difficulties with transport and not having enough to do.

One young person talked about having “nowhere to hang out, not enough public transport to quickly get from one place to another” and another said: “The worst thing about growing up where I live is there is never anything to do”.

The main things that young people said they wanted from support services were confidentiality/privacy, trusting relationships with the workers, and consistent and accessible staff.

The research was carried out by the Brathay Trust Research Hub.