Youth services are being “dismantled” and vital 1-2-1 support scrapped for Bristol’s most vulnerable young people, causing “irreversible damage”, a council meeting heard. North, east and central Bristol will suffer most as funds are redirected to the south of the city, youth workers fear.
The city council is cutting money and changing the way it funds youth work, from long-term contracts to a grants system, but denies 1-2-1 sessions are being scrapped altogether and insists it remains committed to giving kids the best start in life, while the forthcoming South Bristol Youth Zone will generate more money for the sector. Unison area organiser Steve Mills told Bristol City Council cabinet that the decision would have a serious impact on current main provider Creative Youth Network (CYN), its services, staff who will face redundancy and young people who need the support.
He said: “The prospect of the current 1-2-1 provision being cut or disappearing completely in a time where young people need this youth service more than ever is irresponsible and could cause irreversible damage. We have some very experienced and motivated staff who could be lost forever to the service.
