MP & AM SEEKING HELP FOR UNDER-THREAT POWYS CHALLENGE (Kirsty Williams AM )

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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

MP & AM SEEKING HELP FOR UNDER-THREAT POWYS CHALLENGE

May 14, 2009 12:00 AM

roger & K Brecon & Radnorshire's MP Roger Williams and AM Kirsty Williams have expressed their extreme concern about the threat to the future of the charity Powys Challenge. They have pledged to take immediate steps to try to secure extra funding for the charity, which delivers support and guidance to young offenders, those at risk of offending and young people in the care system in Powys. It faces closure in June this year unless extra funding can be found. Currently the charity receives grant funding for specific projects it delivers for Powys County Council and the National Offender Management Service (Probation Service) and it is the delivery of these projects that is the main source of the charity's funding difficulties, as the costs of delivery exceed the grant funding available.

Commenting on the problem, Roger Williams said:

" This is a very serious situation. If Powys Challenge is forced to close down it will create considerable problems for all the services involved in the prevention of youth offending, including the Police and Courts Services, as well as causing the loss of a number of jobs at Powys Challenge itself. It will also remove vital support for some of the most vulnerable young people in our local communities, which is provided by a team of dedicated volunteers."

" I have already written to Jeremy Patterson, the Interim Chief Executive at Powys County Council and Yvonne Thomas, the Director of Offender Management for Wales, to express my great concern at the prospect of us losing Powys Challenge and I hope they will respond positively to my request that they provide extra support to the charity."

Kirsty Williams said:

" I am gravely concerned about this issue and will do all I can to seek the extra support this vital charity needs. Delivering these types of service in sparsely populated areas like Powys is a major challenge and the statutory services, such as the Police and Social Services rely to a great extent on the support that organisations like Powys Challenge can offer. I hope very much that the agencies that help fund it will see the urgent need to find that extra funding as quickly as possible."