Drop-in centre fears 'tough winter' for teens

Parul Dix at The Swan Youth Project, which has been helping young people in Berkhamsted for almost 30 years

A drop-in centre for teenagers says "it may struggle to keep its head above water" if the Budget leads to more winter pressures for the families of children that use the service.

The Swan Youth Project in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, currently receives a grant from the town council. Project manager Parul Dix said the council had been an "amazing advocate" of the service, but they also rely on other grants, and they have been reducing.

She told the BBC: "It is going to be a tough winter, and we do not know what funding cuts will look like, but we could see increasing numbers of families struggling for food."

The Treasury has been approached for comment.

The project has welcomed 12 to 18-year-olds in the town for nearly 30 years on the site of a former 16th-century coaching inn called The Swan.

It opens its doors every weekday during the school term and school holidays. It offers a diverse range of activities, both organised and casual, as well as a welcoming space for friends to gather and unwind.

Mrs Dix has been manager for four years and said they make sure the young people get a hot meal every day.

She said: "By giving them food, they are focused on their education, able to do their homework, and have better relationships at home.

"Even in a place like Berkhamsted, which is seen as being wealthy, we see queues at the local pantries."

Although the immediate future of the project is secure, Mrs Dix is concerned that if funding is cut, that could change and lead to more anti-social behaviour if young people have nowhere else to go.

She said: "We need to be investing in youth; otherwise, we're creating problems for the long term."

Lex says the project helps him and is one of his biggest supporters

Lex is a regular visitor but has struggled with depression and anxiety for "quite a while".

He told the BBC: "I don't think I'd still be here if it wasn't for The Swan Youth Project."

"The Swan has been one of my biggest supporters. Parul sat with me in hospital for several hours, just to make sure I was OK."

He felt more places like this were needed in Berkhamsted; otherwise, teenagers would just "end up at the skate park and getting mixed up with the wrong crowd".

Megan enjoys being able to talk about her faith and her mental health in a safe space

Megan has been coming to The Swan for four years and volunteers every Monday.

She said she enjoys talking about her Christian faith and being able to share her problems with anxiety in a safe space.

She told the BBC that "insane waiting lists" for mental health services meant she had to rely on the project.

"You get seen the minute you come through the door," she said and added that "other mental health professional services have not had anyone as kind and caring as they [the project] have been".

Alexi believes the project will help him get a job by boosting his confidence in social situations

Alexi said The Swan had helped him a lot as he "struggles with his emotions".

He said: "Having some place where I feel comfortable practising conversing helps."

"I would not be able to get a job without social skills, so without this project I would be crumbling."