A funding proposal by central government has brought hope to local youth services.
The government has pledged £78 billion for councils across the country to cut deprivation and fund youth services.
Local BCP green councilor for youth funding Simon Bull would welcome the funding if it comes to fruition. He said: “We could certainly do with more funds to improve the service we offer to young people.” He added that now the council do not have enough funds to tackle the various problems facing local youth.
Eliza from the local charity Back Track, which supports young people in Bournemouth said: “An alternative provision is brilliant.”
The charity has been struggling recently to fully support its clients, and Eliza, a youth mentor, thinks that the money would go a long way in helping to support young people in education projects and things like mentoring and social skills.
Councilor Toby Slade of the Muscliff & Strouden park ward was skeptical. He said it was not money councils could spend freely; it was more for core spending power.’ However, he was in favour of additional funds in theory. He said: “I welcome a move toward multi-year funding.” He then gave an air of caution and said funding youth services is ok as long as it doesn’t push the cost onto local council taxpayers.
As to what the money would be spent on, there were conflicting ideas. Simon Bull thinks there is a need for drop-in support while negating the idea of a return to youth clubs, which have been largely eradicated in Bournemouth.
However, a former youth worker who wishes to remain anonymous said: “I think it’s necessary to bring back youth clubs.” When asked why he responded: “Without which young people were left on their own, at home or on the streets with nothing to do.” And “young people can do activities together, have different friends outside school and have some sort of counselling.”
Yet still more diverse was Cllr Toby Slade’s take on the matter; he explained: “ Stronger early help and family support, targeted where the need is greatest.”
Due to lack of funding and support, local youth are facing problems such as isolation (being targeted by exploitative websites), lack of activities, lack of financial know-how, and, it was said, these things can lead to antisocial behaviors such as vandalism and alcohol and drug abuse.
As for now, Simon Bull said: “We haven’t got the funding from the government; we’ve got more cuts.”
