Clydebank Post | Opinion | West Dunbartonshire Youth Trust support

Friday, 4th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 14th May, 2008 10:00

West Dunbartonshire Youth Trust support

I AM a young person living in West Dunbartonshire and I am also active in the West Dunbartonshire Youth Trust.

I cannot help but feel frustrated at the lack of support for the youth trust and youth services in general.

The youth trust has funded and supported many youth services across West Dunbartonshire, but is now struggling financially due to the lack of support from Community Planning and the council.

Young people are often encouraged to get involved in their communities through volunteering at youth services.

I would like to ask the question of why encourage young people to volunteer and become involved if their group or services will not receive any support?

The youth trust has funded many worthwhile projects in the West Dunbartonshire area and has given me so much.

The trust has been a key factor in the development of West Dunbartonshire in matters concerning young people and it has also delivered training for young people.

I feel that the youth trust has been left in the dark here.

Why is there a lack of support for the youth trust?

What has happened and what reasons do Community Planning have for the lack of support for the youth trust?

Community Planning paid for a consultation report on the youth trust which stated that it was a model of good practice and that it should be supported.

The youth trust had been told that there may be an underspend in some budgets, but it has still not been able to access any Community Planning money in the last 12 months.

The youth trust is looking for funding in order to stay open as a charity and is in the process of becoming a youth bank.

If people wish to support the youth trust and other services, please contact the co-ordinator of the youth trust, Dawn Fyfe, on 0141 952 9530 or make your complaints to the Community Planning Partnership.

The youth trust is holding a public meeting on Tuesday May 20 in Clydebank Town Hall at 6pm and asks that anyone who is concerned or interested in the youth services come along to support the youth services across West Dunbartonshire.

Name and address supplied

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