Page 8 - link magazine

8 The Link Magazine • July 2005
Overhaul for town's youth service
under the eye of West councillor
A West Swindon councillor has given hope to a junior youth club
threatened with closure, and is aiming to see a huge improvement in
youth services across the town.
Coun Steve Wakefield, who rep- for club are doing an excellent job;
resents Toothill and Westlea, has it's the kind of activity we want to
been given the responsibility by see taking place in the community.
Swindon Council of overseeing the "As far as Toothill Farm is con-
renewal of the youth service which cerned, the West Swindon coun-
was very heavily criticised by cillors want it to continue as a com-
Ofsted in May. munity facility rather than see yet
The inspectors slammed Swin- more housing. The farm site could
don by saying the standard of make an ideal location to develop
MOT TESTING AND young people's achievements, youth related activities, but we
want to get opinions from the peo-
quality of youth work practice and
REPAIRS strategic and operational leader- ple of Toothill."
Coun Wakefield said his town
ship and management are all inad-
equate. wide role will be to ask the diffi-
The low priority given to youth
EXHAUST TYRES AND services has resulted in neglect, cult questions of council officers
so that the young people of Swin-
inadequate strategic leadership, don are better served.
BATTERIES fragmented delivery and lack of "With the reorganisation of edu-
clear vision. cation and social services into a
But the inspectors say that a new children's services department, the
• AIR CONDITIONING management team knows the chal- council has a clear responsibility
lenges, though it underestimates to do a better job for teenagers in
SERVICE the task ahead. our town.

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•CAR HI

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servicing "West Swindon councillors are fighting to keep Toothill Farm open for young
people,"says Councillor Steve Wakefield, pictured with Toothill Junior Youth Club
Officers gave their reaction to "The youth service became a lost
the report at the West Swindon department in the council. We ac-
Area Forum in May when coun cept what Ofsted says; their report
FISH BR Wakefield said he wanted to see gives us the basis for moving for-
ward and delivering a better serv-
the young people of the town get a
TO BOOK OR FIND C better deal from the council. ice. This will be through directly
CONTACT RONI. CHF He also spoke up for Toothill employed youth workers, and also
Junior Youth Club who, in the in partnership with voluntary
01793 645 Spring, were nearly evicted by the groups and the churches who do
council when they tried to renew good, often unrecognised work
y
their annual rental agreement for with oung people."
using the Toothill Farm social hall.
Club secretary Mavis Reed Activity days at Toothill Farm
FISH BROTI- bluntly told officers and council- The West Swindon Family Project
lors that the club felt that elements are planning summer holiday play
A M , ' E in the council were intent on get- days at the farm. Details will be
r
ting rid of community users of the published in the August Link, or
SE farm so that the site could be sold call Nikki Hillier on 871303.
off for housing. Finding out what young people
At a visit to the club arranged by want
NAME The Link, coun Wakefield said, The results of a survey of 400 West
"something is wrong if a viable, Swindon teenagers are being ana-
REG NO successful youth club feels under lysed for a report to a community
Valid threat from the council. forum with local councillors later
"The volunteers running thejun- this year.