Council commits extra funds for youth work

THAME Town Counci has agreed to contribute £30,000 extra to £15,000 already committed, to enable the Thame Youth Project Group to recruit a Youth Worker, and to help it to set up out-reach work towards particularly, vulnerable young people.

A recent report on Thame Youth Services said: “Currently there remains a significant percentage of the youth that do not fall under the sporting or
uniformed group umbrella and also may require support and positive influences to reduce antisocial behaviour. This gap has recently been recognised by the local Neighbourhood Policing team.

“Today a large part of Thame youth are under served, leaving potentially vulnerable young people open to negative influences. As an upper middle class town we often focus on the “nice” aspects of our society. It is clear that behind many doors life for our young people is not so good and as a community we should be reaching out to help. By TTC and TYPG coming together we can make a difference in a positive way to the young people of Thame.”

Thame Youth Project Group is a voluntary team dedicated to providing an environment where the young people of Thame can engage and speak freely and obtain advice from positive role models. Currently the TYPG provides two Youth Cafés in loaned church premises, one for school years 7-9 and another for years 10 -11. These are both free to attend. Also, the TYPG will be working with Thame Town Council to try to find a more permanent venue.