YMCA Norfolk residents protest over youth service cuts

Young residents took their protest to County Hall in Norfolk where a Big Hands protest against the threatened closure of the Providence Street Youth Club in King’s Lynn – a small part of the wholesale axing of youth services across the county - made headlines in the Eastern Daily Press.

They also joined hundreds of other young people in a youth rally in Birmingham against youth service cuts across the country, addressed by MPs, youth professionals and young people. Some of those from Norfolk were interviewed for national TV and newspaper articles.

YMCA Norfolk Key Worker, Lindsey Forrest, who had organised the participation of the young people in the Western Area Youth Forum and protests, said the youngsters were amazed at what they had learnt during the whole process.

Ashleigh, aged 17, said: “I learned a lot when I went to the youth rally. It made a big impact on me as I now know that a lot of people will suffer if the youth services get shut down.”

Shane, aged 20, said: “I didn't know much about the cuts until the rally and it made me feel really angry about what they are doing. It has made me do anything I can to stop them from taking away needed services!”

Ann, aged 19, said:  “it was nice to see so many people supporting youth services, now all we need is to save them.”

The youth service cuts will have a direct impact on the young people meaning no easy access to counselling from trained youth workers, no access to group work for sexual health advice, no youth groups for specific groups such as young carers, youngsters with learning difficulties, music teaching nights, expressional arts groups, or safe places to go in the evenings that are free and no more outreach work in the trouble spots around town.

One lasting legacy of the rally is that some of the young people have now set up a “residents council” which they are using to organize fundraising events, and working out house rules and rewards for residents who have worked hard at household chores.

Lindsey said: “It’s been a busy few months struggling with an uphill battle, but everyone involved has done their best and learnt an awful lot.  Many of the young people I took along didn’t have any idea of the affects of the youth service cuts or an understanding of budgets and how they are used. They now know about the need to raise awareness of issues that may or may not affect them and the real effects of the budget cuts across the board and what they need to do to keep services like the YMCA running. 

“I have seen changes in the young people who attended these meetings and they are now more involved in the rules we have and why they are in place and more determined than ever to raise funds for their house.”

Pictured above are some of the young people from King's Lynn protesting about youth service cuts.