Page 21 - link magazine

NEWS & VIEWS 21
Young people get organised
for a better deal
Terry Sutcliffe D.O.

STRUCTURAL HEALTH CONSULTANT

• Osteopathy
• Soft Tissue Manipulation
• Sports Injuries

To book an appointment, ring 722913
8a.m. — 9a.m. Monday to Saturday

530 Cricklade Road, Swindon SN2 5AQ

With Lee Hogan M.P.E.A, R.S.A.
West Swindon Youth Organisahon, back row from left, Simon Ford, Theresa Sundays 6pm-7.15pm
Barclay, Errol Williams, Kerry Porter, MarkJenkins,Jackie Warren. Front, 1. to Fitness Training with Lee
r., John Ayres, Paddy Reed, Barry Gaff, Lynsey Hunter, Michael McHugh No dancing, No music, Circuit Training,
Stamina Building,
A group of young people inToothill nity group will take on the lease. BY DESIGN LTD Team Games - For Men
are angry that so little is being done Simon Ford, who organised the Sports Hall, Greendown School
to support them that they are start- voluntary decorating team over the Tuesdays 7.30pm-8.30pm
ingacampaign topmmotea positive summer, said that quite a lot of Exercise to Music with Lee Sundays 7.30 pm-8.3Opm
attitude towards young people and money was allocated to youth work Total Body Conditioning Exercise to Music with Lee
to have a say aboutyouth services in in the area, but young people arenot Drama Studio, Greendown School Total Body Conditioning
the area. consulted on how it is spent. "The The Gym, Greendown School
The West Swindon Youth Or- majority of young people in West Saturdays 5pm-6pm Everyone Welcome
Cardlo-Funk with Tracy
ganisation has been formed to get a Swindon want somewhere to go to A Great New Exercise Class NO MEMBERSHIP or REGISTRATION
better deal for young people ex- chat with their friends, play snooker using the best & latest music. JUST PAY ON THE DAY
plained Kerry Porter, who chairs and pool, in fact be where adults Willows Hall, Freshbrook School £2.50 all sessions.
the group. "There is nowhere for want them to be - off the streets. For the Fit, the Young, the Young Classes and times to suk everyone we hopel
young people to go in this area and "It's all very well having a glitzy at Heart, Men & Women Alike Telephone: 870691 for details
not much for them to do, unless you facility like the Shaw Ridge Leisure
have money that is," she said. Park but most teenagers won't have
'The people who use the bar at the money to go there. There is just
Toothill Community Centre closed so little to do here that no wonder LINK
CENTRE
the youth room down nearly two they hang around in public places
years ago and won't let us into the and there's conflict."
building. They accuse us of behav- Kerry Porter is more direct in her 10S ChRIS T14 j' /U'DERSL1
ing badly when it's often adults from criticism. "1 think the organisations

the bar or the pub who cause trouble who deal with young people are ist"Jackeo
at the village centre." letting us down. The youth services 0e
The youngsters also feel angry should work with us on our terms,
that they were allowed to start vol- because what they do affects us."
untary work on the Toothifi Farm David Whewell, District Youth
A
youth building last May and spent Officer for Wiltshire County Coun-
three months cleaning and decorat- cil, said he had met with members of
ing, only to be stopped because no the Youth Organisation and was
organisation had taken on the lease impressed by how they were dis-
and there was no insurance cover. cussing the problems. 'The Youth
Thamesdown Council owns the Resources Committee in fact applied
ex-cow shed which has been gradu- to Thamesdown for the lease on the
ally upgraded over the last fourteen Toothifi Farm youth building in
years. A lease is being discussed by 1989. This request has now been
the West Swindon Youth Resource repeated and we are awaiting a
Committee, which employs a youth meeting with Thamesdown's Com-
worker with funds from the County munity Development Department.
Council, and negotiations are be- "I understand the frustration of
lieved to be continuing. the young people, but it is very im-
'We were promised that £10,000 portant to have safe working con-
was available from the County ditions and insurance cover." Evening Performances Matinee Performance
SUNDAY IV DECEMBER 730,, MONDAY I? DECEMBER
2 00p
Council to get the youth club build- He confirmed that £10,000 was MONDAY ID DECEMBER 730p,,,
BALC0NV& RINKSI0E BALCONY & RINKSIOE
ing open and used, then we were still available from the County £475 £425
£375 £325
out on the street again and nothing Council to refurbish the farm build-
SHOW LEVEL SHOW LEVEL
is being done," said Kerry. ing. £500
£400
Now, the three youth representa- He added that there is the equiva- GYYs
tives on the Youth Resources Coni. lent of five full-time youth workers
mittee are thinking about resigning to work with young people in West LINK
because of its inaction over the last Swindon. CENTRE
THAMESOON
W D H 7 )YI.IIDY.
eight months. The Youth Organisa- Any young person interested in
tion is hoping another local commu- find ingout more can contact 877083.