Youth clubs across Dorset see “sharp decline” in funding
A youth club provider in Bournemouth is calling on the government to invest millions of pounds into youth services
Youth clubs across Dorset have been forced to cutback services and even close permanently due to a “lack of government funding”.
The Local Government Association found two thirds of councils have not increased spending on youth services in the past five years.
YMCA Bournemouth COO, Mark Inkpen told us: “There's been a sharp decline in the amount of funding available for youth services in the local area
“As a result, we’ve seen a lot of youth centres close in the last few years and we here at the YMCA have had to reduce what we offer.”
Funding for youth services provided by councils in England saw real terms decline of 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23.
Now there are calls for fresh investment in local grass-roots provision for young people, supported by nine in ten councils.
Labour recently announced a National Youth Strategy with plans to end the National Citizen Service and subsequently free up £54.2 million a year.
The LGA believe funding should be used to open youth hubs across the country and invest in qualified professionals who have the skills, experience and training to support young people.
Mr Inkpen said: “There hasn't been enough investment in youth services for many years, so if they can put money into it then I think it will have a massive benefit on young people.
“Youth centres give young people a safe place to go. It’s somewhere they can socialise, build their self-esteem and ultimately give them something positive to do like develop skills or find a passion.
“More importantly, however, it will keep young people off the street and away from crime or committing antisocial behaviour.”
Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, Arooj Shah added: “Youth services provide essential support to young people, providing them with a safe place, trusted relationships, positive life experiences and stopping them from being drawn into negative situations and reducing demand for acute services further down the line.
“Without adequate funding, many local youth services are under threat and remain at risk of being reduced or in danger of being cut altogether.”