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WHAT ADULTS SAY
My son has been attending Club Shout at Frimley Green Youth Centre for 6 months now, and is really keen to keep going. He has learning difficulties which has meant that it has been difficult for him to integrate into any mainstream youth activities. Even if other places welcome children with difficulties other children quickly get a sense that they have problems, and the child with difficulties quickly picks up that they can't keep up - and they feel more isolated than if they hadn't gone at all!
At FGYC we don't have these worries at all. Our son has a strong sense of belonging, being acceptable, being liked and welcomed, and at the same time is able to "hang out" with friends - like all teenagers should. When he first arrived at the centre, he turned round to me and said "this is my idea of heaven". Six months on and he still calls it heaven. The thought that this might be taken away makes me feel a deep sense of dread. After all this time, finally there's somewhere where he can feel good about himself - and it might be taken away. I actually can't bear it.
At FGYC the staff know exactly how to pitch things to the right level for our children. They know what works, and what doesn't - and how to give the kids a sense of proactivity, mutual respect, choice and responsibility, whilst making sure they have fun. Our son's confidence has grown tremendously as a result of this. There is nothing - really nothing -else available that comes close.
FGYC gives our teenagers a sense of belonging in a place that is "theirs". I am happy to discuss this with anyone involved in the decision to remain open.
I absolutely beg anyone of any influence who reads this to support us in supporting our children, who so badly need FGYC to stay open to them. Please.
Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris
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To whom it may concern
My daughter attends Frimley Green Youth Club and has done for the last couple of years. Last night she was told that there is a strong possibility that it is to be closed.
I would like to register my utter disbelief that this could happen. Under the unfailing superb supervision and guidance of Nick Jolly, my daughter has taken part in several worthwile projects including Women's Seaxual Health and Beat Bullying. She took part in the Race for Life and raised money for Breast Cancer. Along with other young people, she was presented with an award only last week for the Beat Bullying Project in recognition of the value to the community. This project was the result of 11 weeks training, including a residential weekend, and was so highly praised that the group took on the role of teachers, presenting their work to every Year 7 class in Tomlinscote School. This award was presented to her by Surrey County Council, the very people who are now threatening to close the Youth Club.
In today's society, when members of the public are quick to condemn young people's behaviour, Frimley Green Youth Club provides a safe and enjoyable meeting place for them, and focuses on helping the community. The young people who attend the Youth Club are not menacing individuals - they are well-adjusted, caring young adults. Instead od wandering the streets aimlessly on a Friday night like so many others, they attend the Youth Cafe in Camberley with Nick. Sponsored events, summer barbeques and residential training weekends are just a few examples of activities that Nick oversees with young people of all ages and abilities. On a recent visit to the Youth Cub I was extremely impressed by the facilities; the computer room, games hall, lounge area and kitchen all so inviting in this delightful building. I can fully understand why my daughter enjoys going so much.
Nick's dedication to helping young people is exemplary. My daughter was hoping to become a youth leader and continue to work alongside Nick in the future. I know she will be extremely disappointed if this opportunity is taken from her by the pointless closure of this building.
I would appreciate your comments on this.
Yours faithfully Lesley Clayton
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To whom it may concern
I am trying to understand why the much needed Youth Club situated within Frimley Green Youth Centre is about to be closed.
I feel so sorry for the children of Frimley Green, Wherever you walk there are pockets of children just hanging around street corners because of the total lack of facilities.
There are many people willing to train, on a voluntary basis, to try and combat this problem. But alas, as soon as something is set in motion for our youth of today, the "plug" gets pulled yet again.
The problem of our children, from early age - teens+ was highlighted in the local paper. Where are children meant to go? What are they meant to do? Why aren't there clubs and projects for these groups of children? Please don't say "LACK OF FUNDING"!
These children and teenagers need clubs for them to integrate and learn the necessary social skills which are required to set them on their way through to adulthood.
I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE CHILDREN WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY.
Yours sincerely Tracy Burvill
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I was appalled to hear that the Frimley Green Youth Club is under threat of closure. I have witnessed at first hand the wonderful work that the staff at the club do, and the positive impact that their influence has on young people that attend.
My son Oliver attends "Club Shout" on a Tuesday evening I have seen his confidence grow as a direct result of his time spent there Oliver suffers from learning difficulties and as such finds it difficult to join a conventional youth club. He becomes isolated and although he tries hard to mix with other young people of his age he soon becomes disheartened and stops wanting to attend.
At "Club Shout" he cannot wait to get there and always comes out energised and full of confidence, talking of going back next week.
Children with special needs are easy targets, for ears we have had to fight to secure the education that is his right by law. They are under constant threat from legislation that forces the closure of special school in the interest of making cost savings forcing vulnerable children into the mainstream.
Should the club close Oliver will be devastated, he will miss the social interaction that is helping him become a model citizen. Children like Oliver need places to go where they can be themselves in an environment where they are respected and cared for in a way that fosters growth and responsibility.
Everyone seems to be an expert in advising on the care for special needs children. One doesn't need to be an expert, just watch the enthusiasm that Ollie and his friends have when leaving the club, then say that it is in their best interest to close the club.
Finally the team at the Youth Club fulfill a role in society that is highly valued. They should be being applauded for their effort and dedication, and rewarded for their work.
Should you wish to contact me directly please do not hesitate to do so.
Yours Paul Jewitt-Harris
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To whom it may concern
It is with great sadness and considerable disbelief that I learned of the intention to close Frimley Green Youth Centre as part of the budget cuts imposed by Surrey County Council.
Firstly I would like to highlight the dedication of the team of youth leaders led by Mr Nick Jolly. They work incredib;y hard with the young people in the area and offer projects that are of specific interest and importance to their target groups. they have an amazing rapport with the young people with whom they work.
I works as a Teacher at a local Special School, Carwarden House, and have had the privilege of working with Nick Jolly for several years. He has visited the school to train groups of our youngsters on the the FA Soccer Stars Course and has motivated both boys and girls, skilled and less skilled to take part and all have attained good scores and levels of achievement. Many young people have been keen to repeat the course and improve their performance.
Nick and his team have been instrumental in providing our school with the opportunity to represent Surrey Heath in the Surrey Youth Games football for several years. he provides may weeks training for the event and the pupils look forward to being part of such a major event.
I have promoted FGYC Club Shout within our school and many of our pupils now regularly attend this Youth Club. It provides a safe environment for our students to meet with others and integrate within the community of young people and visit Camberley for coffee! There are not many opportunities for young people with learning difficulties to socialise in a such welcoming environment.
Our school places great emphasis on recognising achievement and encouraging our students to attain their very best potential. This means socially as well as academically . Frimley Green Youth Centre has the same ethos and philosophy, which is why we are so keen to maintain our association with them.
As a resident in the local area, I am always hearing about the trouble spots where groups of young people congregate and cause problems. We have seen some initiatives which have been put in place to try and alleviate the problems. These have ranged from highly publicised special sheltered benches in the park to CCTV and patrolling police vans.
Surely it is madness to remove one of the most proactive facilities for young people that exist in the area at at time when they are most needed. Our young people want a local facility, run by caring professionals, that is easy to access and which is friendly and welcoming. Frimley Green Youth centre more that fits the bill and I urge you to think very carefully about the consequences that this closure will have. It IS value for money!!
Yours truly Kate Hurrey
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Attn Surrey County Council
My daughter Emily attends 'Club Shout' at Frimley Green Youth Centre on a Tuesday evening. It's extremely difficult for teenagers in this area to develop independent and social skills as both transport and leisure facilities are not comparable to larger towns.
Emily attends a small 'MLD' school in Camberley and has few friends. She has experienced a fair degree of isolation because her social skills are under-developed. Without a doubt, as with many children or people with special needs, she is rarely accommodated adequately into mainstream clubs or activities.
'Club Shout' at Frimley Green Youth Centre is a safe environment which gives her the opportunity to meet friends, extend her educational learning (personal, social, health education) and meet other 'MLD' teenagers whom are distributed across a wide area.
If the youth club were to close my daughter would not be able to do normal teenage activities and this would have a significant impact upon her both now and as she grows and develops into a young woman.
It seems perverse that whilst UK society is experiencing a massive rise in teenage crime, social irresponsibilty and disengagement, that the few facilities available to them to become better citizens are threatened with closure. Please do not close Frimley Green Youth Centre.
Yours faithfully Janet Trowse
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To whom it may concern
RE:- Frimley Green Youth Centre
After hearing about the proposed closure of FGYC I felt I had to put pen to paper and let it known my utter disbelief that there is a strong possibility of this happening.
My daughter Carly has attended FGYC since she was a young teenager, she is now 21, and still works there as a prt-time Youth Worker, delivering sexual health training in schools to year 8's. She has also worked with special needs young adults, all made possible with guidance and training given to her from Nick Jolly and the youth centre whos training and guidance is second to none. I find that all this is not enough to keep the centre open, what are you thinking? Where are our young people going to learn the skills and guidance that Nick Jolly and his team offer at FGYC.
I do hope you will take a closer look at the importance of FGYC and make the right decision.
Andrea Middleton
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Re: Closure of Frimley Green Youth Centre
My daughter has badgered me continually to make sure that I write as she enjoys coming to Club Shout and doesn't want it to close because she enjoys going out and spending time with her friends, getting to know others better and talking with the staff. She is also becoming involved in new activities. Just as for any teenager these opportunities are important to her.
For teenagers with learning difficulties it is difficult to build up the confidence to want to "go out" and then even more impossible to find a suitable place to go and people to be with. It is as a result of the links you and your team have established with Carwarden House School that she was encouraged to try Club Shout and she benefits so much. Club Shout is, so far, her only independent social activity outside school and there is nothing else like nearby.
It is also important that she feels comfortable in the surroundings and I think the facilities at FGYC are absolutely brilliant for a youth club. I really can't see what more is needed. The fact that it is local is a big bonus as parents don't have to drive a long way and congest a town centre to get there.
So, I hope they don't close the centre; the team are excellent and already busy working in the community, the facilities are excellent and my daughter benefits from and enjoys her social life there, as do others like her - SCC should be extending the service so more can benefit, not thinking of closure .
Yours sincerely Pauline Martin
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To whom it may concern
On behalf of a parent who's child has attended Frimley Green Youth Centre I was extremely shocked as I'm sure many others were when I heard the plans to close the local youth centre.
My Daughter Emma has been a regular member of the youth group for many years and I was upset as she was when she found out it may be closing as for Emma, this youth centre has been such a fantastic journey for her and has made such a difference to her as a young adult. She has attended various trips away to aid with things such as 'teambuilding', 'sexual health', 'post 16 job opportunities' and many more. All the above have, I believe had a huge input on who she is today. I know that I am not the only parent who feels this way and just can not stress enough how much our family would benefit from this centre staying open.
I have a younger daughter who is in her first year of secondary school and I hope she can also be given as many wonderful opportunities as my eldest daughter has.
I understand also that the support my daughter and her friends have received from the staff has helped her so much in the scary jump from a young person to becoming a young adult and I am very much appreciative of that.
Thank you for your time
Yours sincerely Julia Smith
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To whom it may concern
We were surprised, concerned and disappointed to hear about the possible closure of Frimley Green's Youth Centre.
Our daughter (Zoe Ballantine) became part of the young people's committee at the age of 13. Part of her role was to attend residential courses where she learnt about team building, how to listen to others, sexual health issues, how to express herself and the most notable of all was the confidence that it gave Zoe. The Young People's Committee was a group of young people who came together to speak out about the needs of youngsters in their local area. The team decided that there was a great need for somewhere safe to be provided where young people could go to meet friends and chat in the evenings, so they set up a 'drop-in centre'. Not only was this appreciated by the local youngsters who attended, but the committee members got a great sense of achievement and learnt more about the needs of others.
The Young People's Committee were continually working out ways in which they could raise money for either charities or the youth centre; some examples of this were Santa runs and staying awake all night.
Zoe remained on the young people's committee until she became 16, where she was given the opportunity to begin training as a Youth Worker. Zoe has been n various projects throughout her time as a trainee youth worker. She has learnt so much about the needs of young people with disabilities, and how rewarding it can be to help them.
There are many reasons why we believe that it would be a very big mistake if the Frimley Green Youth Centre closed, some of them are:
It gave Zoe confidence, made her a lot more caring, taught her to listen to others, taught her how rewarding it was to help others, how to work with others and generally taught her many things about life and being a better person
Young people need somewhere to go that is safe, where they can meet up with friends rather than walking the streets, and where they can have fun.
As parents we would like to think that others could be given the same opportunities as Zoe, so surely you should be considering opening more of these centres rather than closing them. This would possibly prevent a lot of young people from spending their evenings walking the streets, hanging around in parks, becoming bored and in some cases ending up making nuisances of themselves.
The whole team at FGYC (headed by an excellent team leader - Nick Jolly) are very dedicated and passionate about what they do and need to be able to continue to pass on their skills and knowledge to others
We feel very strongly about the possibility of FGYC being closed, and hope that you will at least consider the points we have raised above. We sincerely hope that the team at Frimley Green Youth Centre will be given the opportunity to continue their wonderful work and will remain 'the voice of young people' in our area.
Yours sincerely Mr D & Mrs CD Ballantine