Local campaigners made a passionate plea to the Council to save Study Support on 5th December.
Parents, volunteers and workers from Burngreave’s Study Support groups attended the Full Council to present their petition of 800 signatures and ask questions.
The Council plans not to continue funding Study Support when it comes to an end in March 2013. The four voluntary sector Study Support groups in Burngreave have stated that this will likely lead to their closure.
Addressing the Councillors, Miriam Yafai, a young worker with Burngreave After School Study Support, explained how important the project is,
“Study Support is really important for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and that includes my family. My sister couldn’t read after being in a main stream school. She learned to read at Study Support. It’s more than just help with school work. Young people come back when they are at college, or to get help with CVs and getting apprenticeships.”
Miriam went on to highlight the wider implications for the City if they fail to invest in young people,
“You are cutting things for the future generations. There’s already high unemployment for young people. EMA has been cut and university fees have gone up – now Study Support which helps young people to get the grades they need to go to university. I’m asking you not to make these cuts.”
In response Jackie Drayton, Cabinet member for Children and Young people, said,
“The Council has had its Early Intervention Grant cut by £6.8million, we have to fulfil our statutory duty with the funding we have and so we are cutting the extras. I would say look to the schools and the pupil premium. We have to talk to schools because the Government has taken the money away from the Council.”
Local residents are continuing their campaign.