The Island needs more youth services to help young people “thrive and advance”, an Isle of Wight councillor has said following the unveiling of a ten year government plan.
East Cowes independent county councillor Karl Love told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) of a “constant decline” in provision, with no youth centres provided by County Hall.
Youth services “largely abandoned and disbanded”
Councillor Love, who was formerly the Isle of Wight’s first detached youth worker, said the Island’s youth services have been “largely abandoned and disbanded” over the years, leaving those that have survived in the hands of the voluntary sector and town and parish councils.
He highlighted the issue after Lisa Nandy MP, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, wrote to council leaders last week (see below) about the government’s Ten Year National Youth Strategy which includes a pledge to invest £70 million to build better local youth offers with local authorities.
Government plan
Mrs Nandy said the plan was to ensure every young person across the country has people who care, places to go and things to do, and are seen and heard.
Youth services are an umbrella term for services that provide a sense of belonging, safe space and opportunity for young people to enjoy being young, according to the Local Government Association.
They can include practical facilities such as a youth centre or community activities, for example in local parks.
Love: Important in areas of deprivation
Councillor Love said the services were particularly important in areas of deprivation.
“Having targeted services can provide interventions such as for health and wellbeing, and support young people who are more vulnerable to alcohol and addiction behaviour.
“If those services don’t exist, it’s more likely that those young people who are risk-takers will develop that risk-taking behaviour.”
The councillor also said the provision had a role to play in inspiring young people and helping to develop skills.
Love: We’ll be lucky if we receive £500,000
Asked whether the £70 million figure was enough to provide adequate provision, he said,
“No, £70 million across the whole of England and Wales is very little – we’ll be lucky if we receive £500,000 – it might be less than that.
“We should be entitled to something and in my view that should be going towards our areas of deprivation and seeking to support facilities.
“Ryde is one of the areas of deprivation so I’d like to see Ryde getting some money – and particularly Sandown – I think Sandown could do with some real investment into that area.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
