Youth work roundup: Youth safety taskforce, sport, and charity closure

A youth safety taskforce has been set up in a London borough in a bid to address violent crime. Camden Council said the borough has experienced an eight per cent rise in knife crime with injuries in the last year, with young people often the victim. Labour's shadow Brexit secretary Sir Kier Starmer alongside the council's lead member for young people Abdul Hai will co-chair the taskforce.


A total of £674,935 has been awarded by the Big Lottery for a youth sports engagement programme in St Helens. The St Helens Reporter reports that the initiative will be run by YMCA St Helens and St Helens Council Sports Development. The three-year programme is aimed at young people aged between 10 and 18, offering 20 free weekly sports and physical activity sessions, holiday programmes and sessions aimed at young people with additional needs.


Powys youth service will continue to provide the same range of activities for the county's young people despite changes to building ownership. The Shropshire Star reports that the county council announced the service was relinquishing control of the buildings it was responsible for but would maintain the level of service on offer and retain frontline posts.


A council leader will be asked what efforts are being made to ensure there is support for hundreds of children and young people in West Oxfordshire following the abrupt closure of a youth charity. The Oxford Mail reports that a question has been put forward to be asked of West Oxfordshire district council leader James Mills about the closure of Base 33, which worked with disadvantaged young people, in November.