We have received the following uplifting report from Oxfordshire where the Council was attempting to gag youth workers and young people. Brilliant!
The Oxfordshire group, Save the UK Youth Centres invited the BBC local news down to film them at their meeting in a chippy because they weren’t allowed to meet in the youth clubs any longer. The BBC filmed them handing leaflets outside of a youth club in Oxford after being refused entry into the club. In addition BBC Oxford did a short piece about the campaign and the gag on youth workers, including some footage of the December protest outside Cameron’s office. The group also got coverage in local newspapers and on local radio. The clip from BBC Oxford News should be available on BBC I player for 24hrs.
The embarrassed Oxfordshire County Council have been quick to deny that they had any policy preventing young people discussing anti-cuts activities within their youth centres. They have now sent out guidance for integrated youth support service staff, which includes youth workers. The guidance makes it clear that youth workers should be supporting young people to engage in the debates about the council’s plans.
This is great news. It means that the campaigners will be able to visit other young people inside their youth clubs and not stand outside freezing. It should also help youth workers to get on with their jobs.
The group aim to have visited at least 10 other clubs by the end of the week, to invite young people to the Public Meeting on Thursday 10th Feb. They can help with young people’s transport costs if necessary.
Find below the ‘revised’ guidance to youth workers – shows you can rattle the bureaucracy if you try!
IN DEFENCE OF YOUTH WORK 