Off the Record in Twickenham faces cash crisis (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Off the Record in Twickenham faces cash crisis

6:50am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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A service offering sexual health advice and life skills to teenagers could be forced to close down by the end of the year after struggling to find funding.

Off the Record, in Church Street, Twickenham, has provided confidential support, information and counselling services for young people aged 11 to 25 since 1992.

But cuts and difficulty securing grants last year means the service will run out of money by December, unless new funding can be found.

Manager Deborah Kerpner said: “I don’t know what the answer is.

“Everyone is struggling for money it seems but it is very difficult when we have young people in need pouring through the doors.

“Eighteen young people have come to us for counselling in March alone, and there are currently 30 young people on our waiting list.”

The drop-in centre offers 48 weekly sessions of counselling to young people with self-injury and family problems, anxiety, depression and bullying.

A sexual health service and life skills project for schools, which focuses on raising resilience and self-esteem, improving social skills and reducing risk in relationships, is also offered by Off the Record.

But the life skills project could be facing a sudden end next month if the £20,000 needed to run the service cannot be found.

Ms Kerpner said: “We do get some council funding and value this enormously.

“We are also supported by Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity and Richmond Parish Lands.

“The reason we are worrying about this year’s funding so early in the year is because we had a shortfall in our budget last year, and getting the rest of our funding through trusts and foundations is difficult.”

She blamed the difficulties on counselling not being a “glamorous area”, and said the confidential nature of Off the Record meant it was hard to involve young people in its operation.

The question of funding was put to Twickenham MP Vince Cable and prospective parliamentary candidates for Labour, Brian Tomlinson, and the Conservatives, Deborah Thomas, at a public meeting organised by Richmond’s involvement network on Monday.

Although all three praised the service there was little comfort to give.

Mr Tomlinson said: “There’s going to be some really difficult decisions in the next year.

“I suggest you continue with your labours and hope for a favourable outcome.”