Funding for the Connexions Youth Service has been drastically slashed by Southend Council and staff have lost their jobs.
No matter the political spin, Connexions is now operating on a shoestring.
The consequences of these cuts are already being felt across the town.
The New Focus Theatre Group, which has been a magnet for our budding thespians for 40 years, has recently been forced to shut after being hit with a massive rent increase for the use of the facility next to the old B&Q in Southend.
With the demise of the drama group, the Focus Centre now lies almost silent. The Connexions website shows very little activity at the previously busy centre.
Meanwhile, in Shoebury, Connexions’ new flagship centre has been taken over by the youth offender’s service. Since the takeover, the level of activity has dramatically dwindled.
Young people are the future and, without the investment they vitally need and deserve, that future is bleak.
Patsy Link
Sheena Walker
Mark Sharp
Beaumont Gardens
Southend
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