Story: Farhan Ahmed
Much work was put in to Burngreave for young people through New Deal Funding, 1000 young people have benefited from these services. When the Young Advisors and Burngreave Youth Council heard about the cuts to funding we organised a meeting with Sonia Sharp (Head of the Council’s Children and Young people’s Directorate) to help save these projects.
With around 200 people, the turn out of young people from Study Support and Streetworx was amazing, with parents and teachers supporting too. A presentation by young people showed the impact of study support, including that young people going to university has gone up 139%. Young people told the meeting:
“They helped me a lot, I was below the standard at school, but then I went on to get 7 GCSEs A-C.”
“Streetworx gave me an opportunity and it’s allowed me to give other young people opportunities.” Uzma Bibi
“I grew up in Pitsmoor. Streetworx helped me and kept me off the streets.”
In response Sonia Sharp said:
“It’s obvious these projects are really important to your lives. We haven’t got a magic pot of money, but with the help of schools we have managed to buy some time. Study Support, Extended Schools and Family Advocacy have 6 months funding, and we have found the funding to give Streetworx another 12 months, definitely.”
The best comments are best left until last, as a study support student stood up and said
“Diane treats us like her children”.