Help the What? Centre

The Background

We have been told by the Local Authority that as part of their funding cuts, they will cease funding the What? Centre's advice service in November this year. This money is also vital in supporting the counselling work that we do and without it we face certain closure in the Autumn after 24 years of working with some of the Borough's most vulnerable young people.

This is despite promises from Government that front-line services will not be cut. It comes at a time when our service is busier than ever helping young people who are homeless or living in poverty, young offenders, those who are suicidal, self-harming or struggling with serious emotional difficulties. It is also an extremely cost-effective project and brings additional money in to the borough.

We believe the decision has been made without a fair and due process being followed about the best use of public money.

Our Request

We are currently trying to get 3,000 signatures on our petition, as we are told that with this will mean the situation has to be looked at again by full Council. Would you be able to add your details to the attached petition and pass it around your own networks? We are trying to get as many as we can by the end of July. The address to return it to is on the bottom of the petition form.

Also attached is a list of some of the things you could do to help The What? Centre ... any help in any way would be very much appreciated.

On behalf of the young people who use the service, we are very grateful for your support.

Julie Faulkner

Deputy Chief Officer

The What? Centre
23 Coventry Street
Stourbridge
DY8 1EP
Tel: 01384 379992
Charity No. 1064579
Company No. 3415168
Member of BACP No. 115576