As Chairman of the Faversham Society, I write to express great concern at the proposal to close Youth Centres in Kent, in particular our local centre in South Road. The building houses not only a youth club and a judo club but also facilities for a disabled group, including a specially fitted kitchen. It also acts as a local polling station.
With a population of around 20,000 in the town and surrounding villages, it is clear that the loss of the Centre would present major difficulties to the many people who make good use of it. Travelling is not a viable option for many young people and experience tells us that commissioning "projects" through other operators is rarely cost effective. And who are the volunteers who "will run the activities themselves"?
It may not be a statutory service for local authorities to provide, but at a time when young people need encouragement and support it would be a tragedy to lose the benefits they gain from the Centre.