February 17th

MADELEINE MOON MP SETS UP MEETING

WITH  THE  RT. HON. TESSA JOWELL MP SECRETARY OF STATE, CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT FOR KPCY

Local MP Madeleine Moon has successfully arranged a meeting between Paula Lunnon, Chair of Kenfig Pyle Cornelly Youth and Alison Mawby, Project Manager, with the Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State, Culture, Media and Sport in Westminster.  The meeting which took place on 16 February 2006 gave Paula and Alison  the opportunity to present their case for ensuring that the KPCY project does not close because of lack of funding.

Madeleine Moon stated: “ KPCY is an exemplar, an inspirational project for the youth of the Bridgend Constituency but desperately needs help to securing funding for the future of the project.  The project is open 7 days a week from 3.30 pm to 10.30 pm and is only closed 6 days a year. The project caters for young people from ages 8 – 25 years old and currently has 750 members. This centre provides value for money and has demonstrated it value to the local area over many years.  The project is in financial crisis and must not be lost.”

Paula Lunnon and Alison Mawby stated their case passionately to the Secretary of State and explained the various fundraising schemes they were running, to raise funds.  The Secretary of State acknowledged the vital work undertaken by staff at the centre and congratulated them on the enormous achievement of winning the UK Inspirational Award for Lottery Funded Projects.

Madeleine explained to the Secretary of State that KPCY meets many of the Governments targets relating to young people.  Since the project was started by Helena Parobic it has helped many young people.  The Computer facilities have helped youngsters with home work while the sports facilities have encouraging exercise.  Staff at the centre provide advice and support for the young people as well as child care support for many working parents especially in the evenings and through school holidays.  The police have also acknowledged the vital role the centre plays in reducing anti-social behaviour and drug taking in the area.

The Secretary of State agreed to write to Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Social Justice at the Welsh Assembly Government to help broker a solution and help focus on further investment for the project.

Following the very positive meeting,  Alison Mawby KPCY added:

 “We hope that the funding issue, not just for ourselves but for all organisations faced with the same difficulties of securing core funding, can now be addressed at the highest levels.”

Paula Lunnon KPCY also stated “ It was so good to have the recognition from the Secretary of State and her acknowledgement that Youth Services are vital in building communities.”