Youth centre to close over lack of funding

Sk8side youth centre in Ashford will close on Saturday after 23 years

A Kent youth centre is set to close on Saturday after operating for 23 years.

Sk8side in Ashford town centre cut its hours from five days a week to three in March but is being forced to close due to a lack of funding and because the current director is retiring.

Deirdre O'Neill has run the youth centre as a Community Interest Company after ending a Kent County Council contract in 2018, however it has proved difficult to find a successor.

"I've been working as a volunteer for the past year but a new director will want paying," says Ms O'Neill. "Grant-giving bodies have given us money in the past but they haven't this time and that's been the big problem."

Deirdre O'Neill is retiring from her role as director of Sk8side and cannot find a successor due to lack of funds

Sk8side is based in a building between the Stour Leisure Centre and Ashford skatepark, offering support and free after-school and holiday clubs for 8-19 year olds.

"We do art, music and are very involved with skateboarding and scooters," says Ms O'Neill.

"Every day we provide a hot meal at 5 o'clock from our supper club. There's also mentoring and counselling services."

The centre says it requires £90,000 per year to remain open with Ashford Borough Council (ABC) committed to providing £10,000 of that.

Liz Wright from Ashford Borough Council says she is concerned that antisocial behaviour may increase when the Sk8side closes

Liz Wright, cabinet member for communities, health and wellbeing at ABC, says the council cannot increase funding.

"I'm afraid we can't pay the full amount in the current financial climate. Ashford Borough Council doesn't have that kind of funding for youth projects which are not statutory."

The Mayor of Ashford chose Sk8side as her charity and raised £11,000 which helped keep the service going.

Ms Wright. said: "The youth centre has previously done lots of outreach work during the summer holidays and when there is nothing for them to do young people will hang about in groups in the town centre.

"Some people can find that very intimidating but they simply have nowhere for them to go."

An ABC spokesperson said: "Since 2018 the council has provided in the region of £175,000 to help keep services running.

"We're currently supporting Sk8side with regards to the future of the building and will share more information with residents once available."