Wirral youth project axed due to lack of funding

Aug 19 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

A YOUTH project on a Wirral estate which helped hundreds of youngsters break the cycle of anti-social behaviour is to close due to lack of funding.

The Social Partnership (TSP) had operated the service at Woodchurch Leisure Centre.

Run by a dedicated team of youth inclusion workers, the service operates a drop-in centre three days a week and has been instrumental in reducing anti-social behaviour on the estate.

Projects manager, Majella Lanigan, said: “It is a huge shame the project is closing.

“The staff have a unique talent of engaging with these youths in a way noone else seems to have done previously.

“They have done some great work which has been commended by the local police, headteachers and local clergy, and we just hope we can gain some more funding to carry on helping teenagers and youngsters to change their lives.”

Local police, schools and churches have all given their backing over the last 18 months to the project, which employed two full-time members of staff, a full-time trainee and volunteers.

Funded initially for two months from an under-spend by The Woodchurch Neighbourhood Management Team, the project’s success prompted a further 12 months funding, which ran out in March.

Since then, charity The Social Partnership has continued to fund it and the youths have gained individual funding from the Youth Opportunity Fund.

A total of 284 children with a range of problems, including drug and alcohol dependency and housing and education issues, have benefited from the project.

Activities arranged by TSP’s project workers included an angling club.

Other activities have included cleaning the graveyard at Holy Cross Church and tidying up flower beds on the estate’s roundabout.