A FLEDGLING New Milton youth charity whose myriad achievements have included helping isolated teens, was awarded a £13,000 town council boost.
This was the third council donation won by New Milton Youth Trust in a year, having received £10,000 last December and another £11,500 a month after its February launch.
Impressed by progress made in its first nine months, finance and general purposes committee members agreed to round up the latest request for £12,138.
New Milton Youth Trust deputy chair of trustees Sarah Conacher (left) and senior youth worker Laura Myhill (centre) with chair Helen Wallis-Dowling at the Empire Skate cafe building on the recreation ground
The contribution, from the council’s £15,000 youth grant aid pot, will go towards six months of salary and costs and training for one senior youth worker and two youth support workers for building-based provision.
Drop-in sessions take place at the Empire Skate café building on the recreation ground, off Whitefield Road, from 5pm to 9pm on Wednesdays and 6pm to 9pm on Fridays.
Deputy chair of trustees Sarah Conacher and senior youth worker Laura Myhill outlined some of the work the trust has been doing.
They told the meeting 172 youngsters attend the Wednesday and Friday drop-in sessions; and since February’s launch, it has had a total of 11,084 attendees. Summer was the busiest period.
Activities laid on during the sessions have included opportunities to learn how to cook various meals.
The trust also carries out detached outreach support for those unable to access the building sessions, between 6pm and 9pm on Tuesdays.
This can involve collaboration with the police and young offender groups.
There is also support for underprivileged youngsters, with Laura telling how she was wrapping and delivering over 60 Christmas presents locally.
“Off the back of the club sessions, we have really strong links with the schools,” she said.
“We run mental health wellbeing workshops at Arnewood and drop-in support once a week at Eaglewood. We provide a safe space for vulnerable young people.
The Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns had had long-lasting effects on some teenagers, the pair told the meeting.
One example of those to benefit from making new friends was a 17-year-old boy who hadn’t left his bedroom in nearly two years and had even developed an American gaming accent.
Sarah said: “We’ve now done nine months, and there is plenty of evidence of the benefits to the town.
“In the new year, we will put in applications for funding from bigger organisations, such as the National Lottery and Children in Need, etc.
“But a lot of them take several months to go through, so we will need some help in the meantime.
“This has been a worthwhile and well-needed project. You helped us to start up, and your help for us to continue is essential.”
Cllr Steve Clarke highlighted the many positive relationships Laura had built with parents in the town, partly due to securing £50 Aldi food vouchers.
Stressing he was unable to vote on the grant request due to being a trustee, he pointed out the work highlighted by Sarah and Laura was “the tip of the iceberg”.
“They are supporting so many vulnerable people in the town,” he said.
“Across the country there is anxiety with the after-effects of Covid, and we can always look at what we provide as a town.
“It’s not a statutory duty, but it is about the welfare of our community. These young people are our future.”
Chairman Cllr Neil Tungate commented: “I have to say I was sceptical when they started, but now I’m absolutely astonished by what they have achieved.”
Councillors backed a £1,500 award – £1,000 from the youth pot and £500 from general grant aid – for the Honeypot Children’s Charity. This was up from £1,000 requested.
This will help fund three-day residential respite breaks for two New Milton young carers at the New Forest’s Honeypot House.
Cllr Clarke said: “I think this is one of the most hidden aspects of community care – no one expects a five-year-old carer.”
Members also backed rounding up Home-Start Hampshire’s bid for £400 to £500.
This will go towards recruiting, training and supervising New Milton volunteers to continue supporting the area’s families who are struggling to give their children the best possible start in life.