There has been a decline on the amount of services youths can access in London as the fact that 81 youth clubs and council youth projects have been shut since 2011 (according to Capital Youths Services) shows. BBC reporter Sian Berry said youth services had seen devastating cuts for "too long". In 22 different councils, over 800 full-time youth positions have been removed. This leaves youths with no place to turn for help. (bbc.co.uk) But all is not lost. In February 2018 London Mayor Sadiq Khan set up a £45 million fund called ‘Young Londoners fund’ with its aim to support education, sport and cultural activities for disadvantaged people.
£10million a year will make up a new fund into which local communities, charities and schools will be able to bid for funds. And £5million a year will be invested to scale up existing projects funded from City Hall that are already supporting young Londoners (according to the Mayor of London website).
Many youths are experiencing these cuts, Edwin, 19 explained, “It’s great that change will hopefully happen. We need youth clubs, as this is young people’s safe haven and with fewer available, this may increase the amount of crime in London”.
It is a positive step that funding is being put in place; now let us now see the changes happen.
Helen Agyeman
Ursuline High School
