Our young people everywhere need help. They challenges previous generations couldn't have dreamed of: the covid pandemic, climate change, online abuse and the mental health impact of social media, to name a few.
Statistics show that current rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness and persistent absence from school are at record levels, with many young people preferring to stay isolated in their bedrooms rather than going out to socialise.
Safe places where young people can hang out and be themselves, have fun, learn and grow are needed more than ever before.
Hythe Youth Centre, located next to Hythe Bay Primary School, is one such place. There are over 820 local children and young people on the Youth Centre register, 150 of whom have statements of special need, some are autistic, and others are not able to cope with school life. All are welcomed at The Centre, helped to feel secure and supported to develop their confidence and abilities.
It is a very special, warm place to learn new skills, have fun, develop social skills, learn to mentor others and talk about difficult issues. The staff are highly skilled, experienced and well equipped to help young people thrive.
Budget cuts to youth services in 2024 (the year the Centre celebrated its 75th anniversary) left an annual budget shortfall of £96,000, and the Centre at serious risk of closure. The tireless work of Salus and Youth Centre staff, and Hythe community support kept the Centre open.
For her year in office as Hythe Town Mayor, Cllr Penny Graham launched The Hythe Kindness Project. At the heart of the Project is a call to invest in our local young people. Penny says:
"We cannot afford to lose the Youth Centre. It is not a luxury in our midst but a core necessity if we truly want our whole community to blossom for years to come."
The vision for the Project is not simply to have the centre survive; it is for it to grow and thrive. The aim is to raise enough money through The Mayors Fund to secure the financial future, building community and business partnerships to ensure the long term security of the Centre for future generations of Hythe young people.
Can you help by making a kind donation? Even a couple of pounds will make a real difference to local young people.
Alongside much needed one-off donations, if enough of us commit just £2 a month, it will enable the Centre to be sustainable on a longer term basis, ensuring the rent and staff wages are paid.
How wonderful it will be for our young people to know their community is literally investing in them!