As widely reported in the local press, West Sussex County Council has recently revealed the enormity of cuts to local youth services. The budget cuts mean that some tough decisions have been made including the withdrawal by the council from many dedicated youth centres which could mean very limited services available to all young people. Members of the council hope that communities will rise to the challenge and that voluntary organisations will run activities for young people.

A new, Horsham-based charity, 4 The Youth has been formed, which aims to partly fill the gap left by the cuts and take on the responsibility for some of the clubs so they can continue to provide services for all young people in the area.

Morwen Millson, a director of the new charity, says, “We want to recruit both experienced and new volunteers to work alongside experienced professional youth workers. Together they will provide dynamic youth services, available to all young people. The idea is to bring together volunteers with a passion for improving young people’s opportunities, with the best of the established youth service.”

4 The Youth is already providing successful Junior Clubs at Horsham Youth Centre, Needles Youth Centre and Forest Youth Wing for young people from 10 to 13.  4 The Youth are offering this package to other youth centres in the area, using a mixture of trained youth workers and volunteer staff to maintain youth provision in the area.

The charity believe it is possible to extend their work within the Horsham community to provide attractive and safe places where young people can meet their friends, and take part in constructive activities. 4 The Youth hope to provide short courses for young people in areas such as baby sitting, first aid or food hygiene and ensure that young people who are facing special challenges are offered additional support from the specialist services that West Sussex Youth Service will continue to run.

Director Morwen Millson Says “to do this, we need more help. We have a strong team of directors, but we need a team behind us who will help to run more sessions for young people and we also need a team of fund-raisers. We believe that many parents and carers value the opportunities that our sessions will offer to their young people and that they will be ready to meet the challenge of helping us to continue to run sessions open to all young people.”

You are invited to the official launch of 4 The Youth on Saturday 28^th January 2012 at 10.45 – 12.30 at Horsham Youth Centre, Hurst Road. You will have the opportunity to meet young people, staff and directors and find out more, you are welcome to stay for lunch.

If you are would like to find out more about the charity and opportunities to get involved please contact 01403 800142. We are also seeking help with donations small or large, and support with fundraising activities.