The fourth episode in this Yorkshire Calendar series presented by Marylyn Webb and Richard Madeley that this week looks at issues relating to teenagers and adolescents. Issues discussed include truancy crime, sex, suicide and the care system with guests of various ages providing their advice to help young people make the right decisions in life. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Calendar At Your Service 18-year-old black teenager Cleve Brook talks about how he used to get into...

The fourth episode in this Yorkshire Calendar series presented by Marylyn Webb and Richard Madeley that this week looks at issues relating to teenagers and adolescents. Issues discussed include truancy crime, sex, suicide and the care system with guests of various ages providing their advice to help young people make the right decisions in life. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Calendar At Your Service 18-year-old black teenager Cleve Brook talks about how he used to get into trouble with the police and why he did it. Title: Teenagers in Trouble Credit: with Marylyn Webb and Richard Madeley Sitting at a news desk presenter Marylyn Webb provides statistics relating to crime, suicide and schoolgirl mums to show how today’s teenagers are in trouble. However, she explains that in this programme she and co-presenter Richard Madeley will be looking at their problems talking to some of those who are trying to help. Sitting nearby is Richard who explains that it is in school where for many teenagers the troubles start. In a workshop at the National Children’s Centre in Huddersfield 15-year-old Caroline Crowther is making soft toys as Richard provides details on her suspension from school. He speaks with Caroline about her situation which started when she fought back against a teacher who was assaulting her. She explains to Richard how she feels about not being in education and about the work she does at the centre. Back in the studio Richard explains that 40% of all truants end up in trouble with the police. He provides details on an experimental magistrate’s trial taking place in Leeds and speaks with Dr Roy Hullin Chairman of Leeds Juvenile Magistrates who believes staying away from school creates more problems than it resolves. He provides details about this experiment which give Magistrates the power to put a child into care to make them go back to school. He explains why he believes the system is working and states it has an above 90% success rate. Following an introduction by Marylyn about the ‘slippery slope’ into crime that face many young people, a story of someone who has been able to get out of this vicious circle. As Cleve Brooks and a colleague carries a mattress frame into the Furniture Department at the National Children’s Centre in Huddersfield Richard provides detail about Cleve’s criminal past. Speaking with Richard Cleve explains how his Rastafarian faith has helped keep him out of trouble as well as the work he does at the centre. He provides some details about his family background and other factors that led him to commit crimes such as mugging but now want to help rather than rob people. Returning to Marylyn she explains that for many young people the downward slope potentially into crime can continues, but who can they speak with in confidence? Details are provided about ‘On the Record’ a drop-in centre in Leeds that can provide confidential advice and a sympathetic ear to teenagers on subjects such as homelessness, trouble with the police or teenage pregnancies. Sitting beside Marylyn is Diane Richards who is full-time Councillor at ‘On the Record’. She is asked about the types of problems those who use the service have. Diane explains that she and her colleagues work with teenagers to help them make their own decision and not simply tell them what to do. Moving on Richard talks about the generational issue of sex and the problems facing those under sixteen finding advise and help with regards sexual problems or contraception. Details are provided on family planning clinics after which Richard speaks with Dr Doreen Anderson from the Wakefield Family Planning Clinic who run special sessions for teenagers. She provides details about the type of advice she gives as well as, where appropriate, providing birth control. Although it is illegal to have sex before the age of sixteen, she sees those teenagers who do come to her sessions are taking a responsible attitude towards sex. She provides details of other clinics within the region, but not everywhere is covered. Marylyn moves the programme on to talk about how personal relationship are becoming a reason for the rapid rise in the number of suicides amongst young people. A clip from the YTV documentary ‘A Part of Life’ transmitted October 1980 in which 16-year-old Anita from Humberside attempts to explain why she attempted to take her own life with tablets. Back in the studio Richard asks Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Vic Doughty what makes adolescents turn to suicide to get over their problems? Dr Doughty believes that teenagers today are living in an ‘age of great uncertainty’ and believes many are not trying to kill themselves but rather looking for a way to get out of a difficult situation as they feel isolated and alone. He believes the most important thing a young person must do is speak with someone they trust about how they feel. Moving the programme on again Marylyn begins a segment on the issues facing teenagers in council care and provides details on an experiment project in Bradford which help find foster parents for disturbed or delinquent adolescents. Sitting in a window of her home is 16-year-old Tracey Richardsons who talks about her experience of being in care. In another room her foster parents Tony and Eileen Garnett talk about their initial negative experiences of being foster parents and about the positives of taking in Tracey. Tracey appreciates being part of a family and talks about what it is like living her after five months. Returning to the studio Marylyn speaks with Shane Ellis who, like Tracey, was in care and has set up an organisation called ‘Who Cares’ that provides help and advice to young people coming out of the care system. He talks about how ill-prepared for life he was and how his group, linked nationally to the National Association of Young People in Care, help to give young people in the care system a greater say in the decision about their life. Richard brings the programme to a close by providing the names and addresses of organisations who can be contacted for confidential advice, many of whom featured in the programme. Marylyn ends the programme to an end by providing details on next week’s editions on the problems of the elderly. Title: Calendar At Your Service Credit: was presented by Marylyn Webb, Richard Madeley Production Team Petrina Rance, Fiona Greig Film Editor Gordon Hopps Director Tony Scull Producer David Lowen Editor Graham Ironside Title: Next week Calendar At Your Service… Old and Alone? End title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production. © Trident Television Ltd. MCMLXXX