Hogarth Youth Centre Facing Uncertain Future

One of five local centres affected by budget reduction

The future of the popular Hogarth Youth Centre in Duke Road, could be under threat because of a massive cutback in Hounslow Council's youth budget.

The Council plans to reduce the youth budget by £650,000 to cope with the shortfall in funding from central government and will no longer employ staff on site at its five youth centres across the borough.

Instead, a team of "detached youth workers" will support young people on estates or by doing street work. They will use community buildings across the borough based on levels of need. The centre in Duke Road is managed by the charitable Hogarth Trust and partly funded by Hounslow Council.

A public consultation meeting will be held on Monday, 16 January at the Hogarth Centre at 6.30 pm. Responses to the Council's Consultation must be sent before 6 March. A report will be discussed by councillors in April 2017.

Hogarth Youth Centre

The Council says its shortfall in central funding means it has to direct money towards other areas such as youth counselling and respite for young carers in the borough. The £212,000 in its budget will also support mobile outreach for 'hot spot' areas of need, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, and the Good Shepherd project for young people in Hounslow Barracks who are isolated due to frequent re-location.

The Council says that young people will still be able to access a range of services provided by organisations such as schools, churches, leisure centres, libraries, apprenticeship providers, as well as local authority services such as the 14-19 service and its counselling service.

A local resident said the news was a blow to those who use the Hogarth Youth Centre.

"Personally, I went to Hogarth Youth Centre as a kid and my child now goes twice a week along with all his friends and about 50 others and the staff do so much for the kids there, God knows what they'd do if it wasn't there. I think it is disgusting that they would even consider closing such a well used and valuable resource to the community and even worse that it has not been publicised."

She said most parents found out about it when staff gave them a leaflet about the consultation.

The Centre provides a range of youth programmes for young people aged 8-21. This includes Junior Club for 8 – 11 year olds, Intermediates Club for young people in Years 7, 8 and 9 and Senior Youth Club for 11-21 year olds.

A wide range of activities include cooking, table tennis, football, dance, arts and crafts, board games, volleyball and more. It also provides holiday programmes, trips and other opportunities for young people.

January 14, 2017