PROPOSALS to close Dorset's youth centres have been met with horror by west Dorset youth workers and politicians.

Their horror is matched by their determination to keep Bridport's well-used youth centre open.

Dorset County Council spends £57 million on its children's services and that figure will need to come down by £5 million by 2017.

Its consultation says: "We are confident that we can provide better, and more targeted, early help with less money. Only a small percentage of the county’s 13-19-year-olds go to a youth centre, which means we are potentially

missing some of the most vulnerable young people."

But experienced west Dorset youth workers couldn't disagree more.

Justine Davie. who now does youth work for a charity, said: "Those that do go are often not happy at home or don't belong to other clubs and that is where the early intervention really happens.

"I think it is extremely valuable. Having worked in a youth cafe the things you pick up on and tackle almost before they have begun is phenomenal."

Bridport Town Councillors will be discussing what they can do at their full council meeting on Tuesday.

Council leader Sarah Williams said: "Personally I think losing our youth centre would be an absolute disaster. It is such an important hub for Bridport. It is not only youth things that go on there. There's the boxing club, the music studio, Moving On and the Bandits meet there.

"I am sure as a town council we will be looking into how we can save it."

Fran Williams, who heads the youth music project Bsharp in Lyme Regis said the government's priorities were not on young people.

She said: "I think we are fortunate to still have some youth provision. some places don't have any at all and they are paying for that. It is very short sighted.

"The more investment there is in our young people the better the world will be.

"Personally I don't agree that it is not the vulnerable people who go.

"The more that the doors of youth centres are open the more potential there is for work with young people to happen."

Tina Cornish, MBE, who runs Loders youth club said: "Whatever loss of provision for young people is extremely regrettable because they live in their bedrooms or at school and if they don;t have youth work they have no place to socialise or the chance to have fun and grow in self esteem and confidence and we will end up with them on the streets."

Town, district and county Councillor Ros Kayes is calling on the community to help save the youth centre.

She said: "This proposal confirms the worst of my fears. I had some hope that because Bridport is such a deprived area that a special case would be made.

"Let me say quite clearly: this centre is sorely needed by the town and I know that local people will not countenance it being closed under any circumstances.

"Now we need to be strong and to act quickly in order to get a concrete proposal to DCC to form a trust to run the building and make sure that we keep this asset open and available for our young people and the rest of the community to use.

"I really want to see the town unite together to save this building.

"Over the last 18 months I have been working with the Western Area Senior Youth Worker, the Leader of the Town Council and the DCC youth team to ensure that we were ready to hit the ground running should our worst fears materialise. We have full costings for running the building and youth club and the income stream which currently exists from use of the centre by community groups. We know what we need to do - now we need to do it."


Dorset County Council is consulting on its plans to withdraw funding from its 22 youth centres.


It says it wants to target its dwindling resources more effectively.
It plans to place its youth workers where they can reach more people – such as in schools and skate parks.


The council says it will support local communities – including young people themselves – to continue providing youth clubs, facilities and activities.
The public consultation ends on December 16.


Cllr Toni Coombs, the council’s Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Good youth work is much more than about offering young people places to go and things to do – it’s about building relationships and supporting those who need help, whether it’s with attending school, mental health issues or substance misuse.


“There is an enormous amount of pressure on young people today and we need to spot problems early before we have to provide more intensive – and costly – services, such as social care. The earlier we can support children and their families, the more likely they are to lead happy lives.”

At the same time, the county council will provide funding and work in partnership with parish/town councils, voluntary groups and communities to ensure there are still plenty of places for young people to go and things for them to do.


Cllr Coombs continued: “Although we are reducing our youth services budget, we will still have more than £1m to spend and need to use this money wisely. 
“There are also many other organisations and community groups across Dorset that support young people by providing places to go and things to do. 


“We would like to work more closely with them so we can target our resources where they are most needed. We want a more effective service that supports the most vulnerable while giving all young people the exciting opportunities they deserve.”


You can give your views on the proposal at dorsetforyou.com/youth-services-consultation  and via paper copies available in libraries.


The council’s Cabinet will consider feedback from the consultation and make a decision in January.