GEN D-IY: HOMESERVE TEAMS UP WITH JEFF AND FREDDIE BRAZIER, AS RESEARCH SHOWS 3 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE DON’T HAVE BASIC HOME MAINTENANCE SKILLS
Posted by: electime 18th June 2024
- 27 per cent of young adults in the UK say their parents haven’t taught them basic home maintenance skills
- 61 per cent of parents admit they don’t have the confidence in their own abilities to effectively teach their children
- New campaign sees Jeff and Freddie Brazier work with HomeServe to fix the home maintenance skills gap
More than three million young adults lack essential abilities like locating their stopcock or resetting their fuse box, new research from home assistance provider HomeServe has revealed.
The new study has found that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of 18-34 year olds in the UK say their parents haven’t been able to teach them basic DIY skills. And, among those who did receive parental instruction, three in ten (30 per cent) would like more help to gain confidence in carrying out simple home maintenance tasks.
- 41 per cent 18-34 year olds say they don’t feel confident changing a lightbulb. 93 per cent of over 55s say they’re confident carrying out this task
- Only 22 per cent of 18-34 year olds say they can locate a stopcock, compared with 67 per cent of over 55s
- Just 31 per cent of 18-34 year olds feel confident resetting a fuse. This rises to 67 per cent of over 55s
- 41 per cent of 18-34 year olds say they can confidently unblock a sink, rising to 76 per cent of over 55s
Among parents who haven’t taught their children home maintenance skills, some common reasons for this decision include a lack of confidence in their own abilities, with 32 per cent feeling unsure about their capabilities. Additionally, 24 per cent of these parents assume that their children will naturally learn these skills when they become necessary, while 15 per cent believe that their children aren’t interested in learning them.
To close this skills gap and to share crucial skills with both parents and young adults, TV personality Jeff Brazier and his 17-year-old son Freddie have teamed up with HomeServe for its Gen D-IY campaign which includes a series of how-to home maintenance videos. With support from the experts at HomeServe, Jeff and Freddie tackle the tasks young adults struggle with the most – from locating a stopcock to fixing fuse box issues.
Commenting on the campaign, Jeff Brazier says: “Having basic home maintenance knowhow is an important part of becoming independent – but so many young people just aren’t confident that they can carry out even the most basic tasks. And my own generation could do with brushing up their skills too – too many of us aren’t confident enough to teach our children. That’s why Freddie and are are teaming up with HomeServe – to fix up and create Gen D-IY – a whole generation of confident young adults”
Recognising the importance of having DIY skills, 65 per cent of 18-34 year olds say getting better at home maintenance would increase their independence and self reliance. And, looking to the future, the overwhelming majority of young adults plan to change this when they have their own children, with 93 per cent saying they’ll prioritise teaching their children these skills.
Hashim Anwar, Home Expert at HomeServe, says: “It’s clear that there is a desire among young adults to gain confidence in carrying out simple home maintenance tasks, and that it’s skill, rather than will, that’s preventing parents from passing on the knowledge. At HomeServe, we want to equip every generation with the knowledge and confidence to feel capable and self-sufficient in managing basic home repairs. Through this new campaign, our online tutorials, and accessible resources, we’re committed to promoting home maintenance education and fostering a culture of confidence and independence in home maintenance.”
For more information and to download HomeServe’s new videos, visit homeserve.co.uk/gen-diy