22 August 2011
Malvern’s MP Harriett Baldwin has toured Malvern’s Youth Centre and met with youth workers, volunteers and local people. Worcestershire County Council is running a consultation process to seek views on the future of the centre and is anticipating making a decision in November. Harriett toured the site with representatives from local voluntary groups as well as county councillor Penelope Morgan and district councillor Hannah Campbell. Harriett commented: “I was pleased to be able to visit the facility and see some of the work that has been carried out recently by volunteers giving the building a fresh lick of paint.The centre has lots of outdoor and indoor space, a theatre, a music room, craft rooms, kitchen facilities, a basketball court, bike track and so on. “The centre is visited by young people and other groups but I am keen to see more Malvern young people making the most of this valuable and extensive facility. The Malvern Community Collective have put a lot of thought into their business plan and I look forward to reviewing it closely. “On a sunny Friday afternoon in August, in the middle of the school holidays, only a handful of young people were on site and no one was using the outdoor space. “In total, records show that 749 young people visited the centre last year, usually taking part in organised activities. “I hope that Malvern's young people, councillors, the Community Collective, the various groups that use the space, the neighbouring Further Education College and the County Council youth team can all work together to come up with a solution that works for Malvern's young people, council taxpayers, community groups and the College.”