Funds for Warwick Youth Service til mid-1998

10/6/96

Family and Children's Services has agreed to fund the Warwick Youth Service to provide services for young people until mid-1998.

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes announced today that an agreement had been signed with the Warwick Church of Christ which guaranteed it $30,213 a year until June 30, 1998.

"The service is mainly for young people aged between 12 and 18 who are at risk and young people referred by Family and Children's Services," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Young people may be at risk because of family conflict, substance abuse, truancy, poor social skills or they may feel isolated from their peers.

"The service will help them reduce their involvement in activities which put them at risk by developing skills to deal with, or prevent, crises in their lives. These will include developing self confidence and better relationships, learning social skills and gaining knowledge of community resources."

Mrs Edwardes said young people would be helped to increase their involvement in education, employment or sporting activities.

"Improving their personal development and self-esteem will help them manage their lives more effectively. In turn, this will have a positive effect on both them and the wider community," she said.

The Minister said she believed the agreement marked the continuation of a good relationship which would benefit the local community.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777