Childhood ambitions revealed

Alfie who dreams about becoming an astronaut

Nearly one in five adults in the North West managed to achieve the job they dreamed about when they were children (19%) an NSPCC survey reveals today. The survey conducted by YouGov, found that the most popular childhood dream job – for just over 1 in 10 adults in the North West (11%) was a doctor or a nurse, followed by an actor (8%) and footballer (8%).

Across the UK one in ten adults in the UK – wanted to be a doctor or nurse (10%), followed by footballer (9%), and teacher (7%). Nearly, a third of UK adults who wanted to be a medic achieved their childhood ambition (31%). Teachers (27%), writers or journalists (9%), police officers (6%), and actors (5%) also got their dream job.

The survey results are revealed as the NSPCC unveils a new UK-wide TV and digital campaign - Alfie the Astronaut – to highlight that when a child is free from abuse they are free to dream.

At the heart of the campaign is a film about a boy called Alfie who dreams about becoming an astronaut. As we watch Alfie training at space camp he tells us how the NSPCC helped him and his mum recover from domestic violence. At the end of the film we see Alfie back in the real world, safe and happy, protected from future abuse.

NSPCC Chief Executive Peter Wanless said: “Every child is born with hopes for the future but if a child’s head is full of fear, anxiety or loneliness there’s no space for dreams. Childhood should be a time when we're free to dream. Abuse can destroy that – but it never should.
“NSPCC services help children just like Alfie to recover from domestic violence or other abuse. Every year, the NSPCC helps keep one million children safe from abuse and neglect, but we can only do this work with the support of the public as more than ninety per cent of our funding comes from voluntary donations.

“Today, my ambition is that through a combination of education and prevention work all children can one day grow up free from abuse. And until that day comes I want every child who has suffered to get the help they need to rebuild their childhood.”

Childhood ambitions varied across the UK. Being a footballer was the most popular childhood dream for people in the North East and the Midlands. However, Wales was where more people than average had dreamed of becoming lawyers or ballet dancers. And East of England was the region with the biggest proportion of aspiring zoo keepers.

Sadly, most UK adults surveyed (86%) didn’t ever achieve their childhood dream and more than one in four (28%) said it was because they thought their ambition was unrealistic. A lack of encouragement or approval from parents were also reasons given for why people gave up on their dreams.

For those who did realise their childhood dream, more than two thirds (68%) said hard work was the reason they got there but the support of parents (29%) and other family or friends (14%) were also key factors.

And the future appears to be bright for many of today’s young people - two thirds of under-18s surveyed by ChildLine say they are confident about getting their dream job. Most children said achieving their goal would be down to their own hard work and good grades, but support from family and friends came a close second.

Alfie the Astronaut premieres at 9pm tonight (15 September) on Channel 4, during the third episode of Educating Cardiff, and is also available to watch at www.nspcc.org.uk/alfie