TOWN COUNCIL SUPPORTING YOUTH OUTREACH WORK IN NEWBURY

The Town Council has renewed its agreement with Berkshire Youth for the provision of detached youth work in Newbury. Cllr Gary Norman, Leader of the Council, said that “Youth Services in the District have been dramatically reduced as West Berkshire District Council cut their funding over the past 13 years.

It is a priority of this Council to support the youth in our town and we have provided £25,000 in our annual budget for the past 3 years towards youth outreach work provided through Berkshire Youth. We signed a 3-year agreement with Berkshire Youth in 2020 and during those 3 years Berkshire Youth have shown their commitment to the youth of Newbury with the fantastic facilities they now provide at The Waterside Centre. We are delighted to renew our commitment to Berkshire Youth for a further 3 years”.

Ms Sarah Emery, Chief Executive at Berkshire Youth, said that Berkshire Youth is committed to supporting young people through adolescence and into adulthood, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community.

“Today, there is a renewed urgency to our work. More young people are vulnerable to exploitation, becoming disengaged and marginalised and at risk of harm.         

They have nowhere to go where they can meet their peers in a safe environment and so increasingly are meeting in open spaces where there is no level of supervision, support and sense-checking/guidance.  We are delighted that Newbury Town Council continues to support our mission to bring youth work to young people – where they are, where they meet.”

Cllr Elizabeth O’Keeffe said that “Berkshire Youth are proven leaders in this field. They raised over £1.5 million to purchase and refurbish the Waterside Centre, demonstrating their commitment to the youth of Newbury and they provide vital youth services from the heart of Newbury. We are delighted to continue our agreement with them and work in partnership with Berkshire Youth for the benefit of the young people in our community”.

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Contacts:

Cllr Gary Norman, Leader of the Council gary.norman@newbury.gov.uk  07801 046115

Cllr Elizabeth O’Keeffe, NTC Link Councillor with Berkshire Youth Elizabeth.okeeffe@newbury.gov.uk 07831 494629