Ilkeston youngsters post heartfelt video on a lack of activities, public perception, personal issues and future hopes

Three young Ilkestonians have taken to social media to post a heartfelt and emotional video detailing the issues that affect them.

In the video, shared on the Ilkeston Town Spotted Facebook page having originally been posted on TikTok, Owen, Harrison and Roy are seen standing on top of closed canal lock gates.

Detailing their whereabouts, Owen, speaking for the group said: "There's not much to do around here. This is the canal path. We come fishing sometimes, chill out here, catch a couple of carp, eat a few snacks and we're sorted."

Owen detailed how a lack of activities and places to go was on their minds and said: "Obviously, the youth clubs all got shut down, and anything we try to do - what we like doing is riding motorbikes, we go on the field and ride it, but we get taken off.  It's not necessarily naughty things in a way, or bad things, it is just obviously kids being kids."

He also said how they get challenged by local police officers: "We get nagged at, the Police are trying to stop us, but literally, all that we want is a field to chill out on. There is nothing else to do, walk up on the canal, that's about it."

Companionship was detailed as being important.  Owen continued: "I think friendship is important, because, if you don't really have mates, then you don't have anything to do, and it's not hard to be a loyal mate, not snitching, not lying, it's not hard."

He also opened up about his own personal circumstances in the video. Owen said: "I've been kicked out of my house a couple of times, and rang up my mates as no one is with me. I rang them up, asking them to come and meet me, and just chill out. It clears your head and you go back in your home in a fresh mindset - you're all sweet.  It all feels good to know that you've got them here for you.

"I had a rough childhood with my Mum dying. I kind of taught myself to be quite mature in the way I think, because the things I've been through, and obviously family circumstances, I just had to learn it all on my own.

"I've got a battle with myself to get on with my day, as sad as it sounds.  There is nothing that we can do about the ones we lose, or anything to do with that, so we've just got to get on with it. There will always be something waiting for us at the end, there will always be something worth it, so just keep going."

Owen finished the video by looking towards his future and ambitions: "What I want to do in life is be successful, and make sure that all of those stood around me are successful too.  When I'm older, I want to become a bricklayer, or an estate agent."

But what does success mean to Owen and his friends?  "Success means, sat on the beach, no stress, chilling - that's how we like it."

He also expressed something quite heartfelt and emotional about those closest to him and others: "I basically say, stick with your mates, and be with your Mum for as long as you can, because she is not always around.  These will be my boys forever."