Youth work roundup: Service cuts, Scout badges and protests

North East Lincolnshire’s lead member for children’s services has defended the council’s plans to cut the department’s budget by a quarter. Councillor Ian Lindley told the Grimbsy Telegraph that the proposed overhaul of the service will put future provision “on a par if not better” than the current system, despite reducing the service’s spend by £920,000.

The Scout Association has launched a range of new activity badges. The Telegraph reports that the new badges will allow Scouts to develop a wider range of skills and recognise achievements in activities such as fundraising, media relations and geocaching.

Users of North Devon’s youth centres have protested against plans to cut the service’s funding. The North Devon Gazette reports that more than 20 young people staged a public demonstration in Barnstaple in a bid to get their concerns about the cuts heard.

A youth worker has made a film about the extent of human trafficking in Croydon in an attempt to raise awareness of the issue. According to the Croydon Advertiser, Joy Grace Gilbert wanted to make young people more aware of human trafficking and how it affects victims after experiencing the issue during her youth work.

And finally, young people living at the East Thames Focus E15 Foyer recently used a play staged at the National Theatre to spark a debate about the future of foyers and youth hostels. The play, called Home, is playing at the National Theatre until 30 April.