‘Don’t cut lifeline to vulnerable youngsters’
8:46am Friday 18th February 2011 in News
A TEENAGER who was thrown a lifeline after she cut contact with her family, has urged council chiefs not to axe the service which helped her.
Sabba Afzal called in at Connexions in Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, because she was unsure where to turn after falling out with her family and quitting sixth form, where she was studying for psychology, sociology, chemistry, physics and biology.
She said the service, which offers advice on education, careers, housing, money, health and relationships for teenagers, helped her to get back on track.
Connexions services are in line to lose out under proposed budget cuts and in some areas of the country they have been earmarked for closure. The 16-year-old said: “I received huge support from Connexions at a time in my life when I thought there was no hope for me.
“I am a young, homeless person and staff helped me to find temporary accommodation, find voluntary work experience and sorted my benefits.
“If Connexions in Bolton closed there would be no secure and bright future for some of Bolton’s young people.
It would put vulnerable people at risk.”
She said: “I thought the Government’s Every Child Matters was implemented because every child counted and didn’t slip through the net. Shutting down Connexions would contradict this legislation.” She said the service spoke to her in confidence and has been giving her counselling.
Sabba is now enrolled on a sports development course at Bolton Sixth Form College which starts in September.
She said she hopes to join the Army after completing the two-year BTEC course.
A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Like many other councils, we are facing significant reductions in funding in Children’s Services, particularly in grant funding, which supported services such as Connexions.
We therefore have no option but to look at potential savings in these areas.
“No detailed proposals have been developed, although we will be working closely with staff and trade unions over the coming months to look at how savings can be made. We will also be paying close attention to the Government’s proposals outlined in the education bill to change the way that information, advice and guidance is delivered.”
