Post by nickd on Aug 16, 2011 20:49:51 GMT 1
Yesterday, the Prime Minister spoke with glowing praise over what has been deemed his favourite local youth charity Base 33. Base 33 received a lot of exposure when Cameron told his audience in Witney how he was going to tackle gangland culture. He indicated how local charities like Base 33 would be instrumental in tackling youth related behavioural probems; - all important when it comes to mending our 'Broken Society'.
But what of the events which preceded the Prime Minister's speech?
Here's an article which appeared in the media on the 12th August; - only days before he spoke so warmly of the youth group.
Headlines:
"YOUTH WORKERS IN DAVID CAMERON'S OXFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY ARE TO GO OUT ON STRIKE AS HIS FAVOURITE BIG SOCIETY YOUTH CENTRE FACES CLOSURE
Article..
"Base 33, a charity youth centre in Witney, has been described as “extraordinary” by Cameron, who held it as one of his favourite examples of the Big Society. It now faces closure after Oxfordshire County Council cut £4m of funding to it and 22 other youth centres in the county.
The centre has seen a 50% drop in donations in the past year, posting a shortfall of over £30,000. Youth workers at Oxfordshire County Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action on Friday, with a series of one day stoppages to start from 23rd August.
The front page of the Base 33 website proudly displays a picture of the Prime Minister, along with a quote:
“Base 33 plays an important role in the community and offers hope and support to young people who have lost their way”
If youth centres can’t survive on their own in leafy Oxfordshire, what hope is there for the children of Haringey, Tottenham, Hackney, Salford, Birmingham…?"
Link...
politicalscrapbook.net/2011/08/cameron-strike-youth-centr/
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But elsewhere, in the Oxford Mail and in contrast to the article on the Political Scrapbook website, it looks like the centre was bailed out shortly before Britain went to riot.
"Base 33 youth centre saved as funding campaign pays off"
[20th July 2011 By Tom Jennings]
A YOUTH centre in Witney has been saved thanks to support from Oxford Mail readers, businesses and the Prime Minister.
Last month, Base 33 in High Street faced the prospect of cutting 75 per cent of its work within weeks. Support for teenage mothers, schemes to get young people into work and drop-in services were under threat after public donations dried up.
But readers of the Oxford Mail and our sister paper the Witney Gazette jumped to its aid, donating more than £10,000 since a story highlighting its plight four weeks ago. Trustees chairman, the Rev Richard Donoghue, said: “The response to the article was incredible. It would have been much, much more difficult for the trustees to have sustained Base 33’s future in the way we have been able to do without it.”
He said the centre was safe for between six and nine months, but added more funding would be needed to secure it long term.
The centre needs about £30,000 a year in public donations to keep afloat. But Mr Donoghue said Witney businesses, councils and Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron had all come forward with future pledges.
A spokesman for Mr Cameron said he met trustees last Friday and agreed to host a fundraiser in the next six months, as well as potentially donating items to an auction.
West Oxfordshire District Council will decide today whether to grant £5,000 to the centre. Base 33 had seen a 50 per cent reduction in public donations over the past year, caused by the recession.
But Mr Donoghue said: “I think we took our eye off the ball and that was the consequence". “We have to hold our hands up, we were not paying attention to the funds closely enough".
“But we will not do that again. We cannot afford to.”
Base 33, which is 10 years old, is open four days and four evenings a week and helps some 150 youngsters in Witney and Carterton. The users welcomed the public’s generosity at a drop-in session on Monday.
Luke Davis, 15, of Jacobs Mill, Witney, said: “I think it is amazing. It shows that people care about Base 33.” Jesse Day, 18, of Smith’s estate, Witney, said: “Not everyone knows what we do but they are still giving money. It is brilliant.
“Base means everything to me – it is like my family.
“They have helped me get a house and through my family problems.” Bryony Timms, 17, of West End, Witney, said: “It is absolutely amazing. Base 33 has helped us out so much and we want them to help other people out as well.”
She said the centre had helped her get an apprenticeship in health and social care and assisted with family problems.
Amongst the Comments, a keen supporter says...
This is brilliant news! Well done to the people of Witney and to our politicians who recognise the fantastic work that Base 33 does in our community. Hard evidence is available to show that anti-social behaviour was reduced by 20% in the Burwell Estate area. If Base 33 did not exist it would cost members of our community far more than the sums of money being given by WODC. I would invite Englishman and freddie to come down to Base and meet the staff and get to know the young people. I write as one who knows Base and also as someone who has suffered anti-social behaviour by some of the young people. I believe that all people have the potential to act positively and to change their lives. Base 33 helps to do this. Why else would politicians be clamouring to help? They know how much it will cost NOT to help.”
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9147852.Base_33_youth_centre_saved_as_funding_campaign_pays_off/
Isn't it wonderful how our politicians clear up their own doorstep and yet pay little heed to what's happening in other far more deprived parts of the country?