Just under two thirds of young adults believe that social problems in their community are best tackled by locally based charities and businesses, rather than larger national organisations, a survey is suggesting.

Local community organisations were the preferred choice of group to address issues such as homelessness and poor community transport among 65% of 18-34-year-olds.

This is higher than among all those surveyed, with 58% overall preferring to keep support for good causes local.

The survey has been carried out among 2,000 people by social investment organisation Big Society Capital.

This also found that 65% overall believe that government spending alone is not enough to solve social issues in their area. More than three quarters (78%) back Big Society Capital’s call for improved access to finance among local charities and social enterprises.

The issues that people are most concerned about are health and wellbeing, which was cited by more than a quarter of people. Other top concerns are homelessness, employment issues and financial exclusion.

In addition, almost three in five (57%) of people believe it is important to source goods and services from providers with a social purpose rather than profit making businesses.

“Our new data shows that the UK public want to see more support for local enterprises delivering solutions for the issues they care about the most,” said Big Society Capital chief executive Stephen Muers.

Among local charitable initiatives cited by Big Society Capital is Wellington Orbit, a community owned cinema in Shropshire that is converting a disused bank into a cultural facility.

“We used a mixture of grants and social impact loans to transform the once derelict building into a 63-seat cinema and café bar. Next, we’re hoping to build multi-purpose rooms for art galleries, exhibition areas, meeting rooms, a dance studio and rehearsal rooms," said Wellington Orbit chief investment officer Ray Hughes

Earlier this month, research by veterans’ charity Walking with the Wounded found that young people are more likely to donate, fundraise and volunteer for good causes during the cost-of-living crisis than older people.

Meanwhile, a separate survey this year by Barclays Corporate Banking found that 18–24-year-olds are most likely to donate to charity.

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