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Shelter idea left out in the cold after concerns

Lucy McGuire
20/ 3/2008

PLANS to build a youth shelter at Hope High School will not go ahead, according to headteacher David Terry.

The announcement was made at the Claremont and Weaste Community Committee last week after recent suggestions that creating a place for youths to gather may help combat anti-social behaviour.

Although a so-called teen shelter has been fully opposed by both the Eccles Old Road school and the Light Oaks Park Residents’ Association, it is suggested a fully supervised youth ‘pod,’ or mobile unit should instead be built, or alternatively, out of hours youth facilities should be provided within the school itself.

The discussion came after it was revealed Hope High would operate as Oasis Academy MediaCity:UK from September this year, and would provide a number of adult and extra-curricular activities for residents across the community.

Mr Terry said: "We’ve spoken to students and staff about having an unsupervised youth shelter and some think it’s a good idea but others would rather come into school and have supervised activities.

"We didn’t get a particularly strong consensus about youth shelters but we want to address safety issues and provide some kind of youth service that is safe and secure."

Maurice Kirk, chairman of Light Oaks Park Residents’ Association, said: "Schools are much better for youth facilities. It makes more sense than investing in unsupervised youth shelters."

David Lees, chair of Bentcliffe Park Residents’ Association, said his wife, Josephine, used to work for the local authority in Tyneside and claims the standard of youth facilities there is way beyond that in Salford.

He said: "In South Tyneside, schools have community associations where schools provide facilities like football, pottery, and art that are open to youths and the community.

"The schools in Salford are there to be used so why close the gates at four o’clock?

"I would praise the social services in Salford but in terms of youth services like this they are really lacking.

"If a place like South Tyneside can afford this, surely a place like Salford can."