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Originally Posted by Dumfries Youth Activists press release, 11th October Press Release!
Press Release from Dumfries Youth Activists
Date: 11th October 2006-10-11
Headline:
Empowered young people doing what they do best!
What, when, where, why, who:
Young people from all over Dumfries and Galloway are coming together to form groups of ..youth activists.., to protest against proposed further 25% cuts to be made on the Council..s Community Learning and Development (CLD) service.
CLD is responsible for the majority of the informal education which takes part in Dumfries and Galloway, including youth work, adult learning (evening classes) etc. They also improve our community by providing local support, activities and places to meet in the community such as community centres and youth services.
The department has already received a 10% cut which has left lots of services short of staff: already the Youth Enquiry Service in Dumfries has had to close one day a week, the OASIS Youth Centre also in Dumfries has had to limit it..s activities, and now there are no council funded youth workers in the whole of mid Galloway, and only one left in the Stewartry area.
Despite the fact that earlier in the year Councillor Tommy Sloan assured the community that ..these efficiency savings.. would ..not affect front-line services.., it has in fact made a large impact on the users of these services, including no more 1-2-1 counselling and support for young people, limited access to youth clinics (which will have a devastating effect on the already high teenage pregnancy rate in Dumfries and Galloway), support groups on subjects like anger management, mental health and self-esteem etc. are unable to run, and social activities which allow young people to express themselves are currently limited, if running at all.
Young people worry that a further 25% cut could completely cripple and close certain aspects of the services provided, which would have a devastating effect on our communities.
Young people have started internet forum campaigns to raise awareness and support, and have also started collecting petitions and letters to give to elected members to show how outraged they are at the prospect of their services being slashed. The attitudes and actions of these young people show how empowered they have become due to the support they have received over the years from our youth services:
..I am writing to you from Strathclyde University where I am studying a B.A in Community Education. I would not be in the position I am just now if it wasn't for the support and opportunities that the Y.E.S and the Oasis centre have given me over the years. I am seriously outraged. Ok, the council are trying to improve local services i.e spending millions on a leisure centre, but this should not be paid for by cutting back on existing services that are vital to our community!..
Youth Activist, 19, Dumfries
..It would totally suck if we lost services such as the YES and the Oasis. everybody in dumfries has benefited from these services once upon a time! and some of us are still using them! think about it - no YES = no information point, no opportunities, no youth clinic, no advice, no nothing! no oasis = no band room, no opportunities, no advice, no information, no fun! no nothing! these places shouldn..t have to suffer!..
Youth Activist, 18, Dumfries
..Community Learning & Development is an essence to me as we work together for the benefit of young people through a youth forum in the town of Wigtown. Without Community Learning there is a strong possibility that our youth club and forum will close. I pledge against Dumfries and Galloway Council to take away these cuts. I strongly am for Community Learning and Development and would need a much bigger reason than I received from a councillor than ..it..s a service that doesn..t work... I don..t think so...
Youth Activist, 12, Wigtown
There is lots of evidence about the extraordinary impact that the CLD Service has had on young people..s lives. For example, due to the support and opportunities provided by Dumfries Youth Enquiry Service, Sam Kerr, spokesperson for Dumfries Youth Activists won ..Young Learner of the Year.. through the Celebration of Learning Awards. She undertook training and opportunities which allowed her to make a difference in the community.
Notes to the Editor
Currently there are groups of ..Youth Activists.. in Dumfries, Wigtown and Lochmaben. More groups are in the pipeline in other areas of the Region. Groups are made up of concerned young people, most of whom are regular users of Council-run youth services. |
Attention everyone in SW Scotland 
But other than that it's a totally different idea - this is to stop the merciless budget cutting plans which will seriously affect community services to young people and adults alike. I've got friends who would be seriously fucked right now if it weren't for the services that are going to be lost here.
