Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

Lifeline shop for youth in cash threat

Emilene White
8/ 8/2007

A HAVEN for young people is set to close at the end of the year if further funding is not found.

The Information Shop for Young People offers free and confidential services for 13 to 25 year olds who live in Tameside.

It has been funded for the past five years with cash from the Big Lottery Fund.

But these services - which include counselling, anger management and self-harm and eating distress support - will be axed on 31 December when the money runs out.

NHS nurses and youth workers also run Tameside's busiest sexual health clinic for young people from the shop.

Last year around 1,900 youngsters called in at the shop for help.

The project, which has been open on Market Avenue, Ashton since 1996, has applied for further funding from the National Lottery but only has a one-in-five chance of the bid being successful.

Project manager Stacey Adams said: "Where will the young people go if we close? We have waiting lists for all of our mental health services at all times. Our young people's clinic is the busiest in Tameside. When we're open we're very busy and the people find it a comfortable place to go."

The charity also tackles mental health and wellbeing, reduction of teenage pregnancy and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

Anyone interested in sponsorship or donating to the Information Shop should contact Stacey on 308 3388.