East Lothian Courier | News | Youth centre funding fears

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 10th July, 2008 08:50

Youth centre funding fears

YOUTH workers at Tranent’s Recharge centre are rallying to avert a funding crisis which could see the popular facility forced to cut opening hours from next month.

Vital funding granted to the Church Street centre in 2006 – two annual payments of nearly £75,000 by the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) – runs out at the end of this month.

Project manager Alan Bell insists that a rumoured reduction in the facility’s opening hours – from three nights a week to one Friday evening drop-in session – is at present only a “possibility”.

“We have managed to secure £11,000 from the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities Scheme and are currently exploring a number of other funding options,” he explained.

“We will have a better picture over the next couple of weeks, but we knew there would be issues at this time way back in September so this is not unexpected.”

Although he declined to name which organisations had been approached for funding, Mr Bell revealed that a substantial bid – for nearly half of the annual grant previously provided by the BLF – was planned.

“We are hopeful that we will able to secure funding to allow us to remain open on Fridays, Saturdays and Wednesdays,” he said.

Recharge welcomes between 30-60 local youngsters to each drop-in session/youth cafe night.

A range of activities are available, including games and crafts, and also internet access.

The employment of the 14 youth workers based at Recharge remains secure according to Mr Bell – though he admitted that limited opening hours would ultimately lead to less working hours being available.

Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council chairman Raymond Strang hoped a solution could be found.

He said: “The Recharge facility is of great benefit to a diverse section of our community, not just those of school age.

“We can only hope that they’re successful in securing the funding that would allow the facility to remain open and accessible to members of the public.”

Mr Bell added that he was keen to see increased community involvement at Recharge, such as more volunteers and increased fundraising efforts, to compensate for the centre’s financial difficulties.

Staff and youngsters have organised an open day – on July 30 – to raise awareness of the centre. Residents are invited to attend.

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