Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, School and Families, and Ian Wright Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships have visited Oldham today
Positive Steps Oldham (PSO) who deliver a range of services including Connexions, Youth Offending Service, Drug and Alcohol Action Team, and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, hosted the visit organised by the Department of Children, Schools and Families.
The visit was arranged to illustrate positive examples of a multi agency approach of working with young people ahead of the launch of the Information Advice, and Guidance strategy for young people later today.
In 2008 PSO opened 'The Centre' the north west's first Targeted Youth Support Centre- delivering a range of services and facilities for young people in Oldham under one roof.
'The Centre enables young people in Oldham to access services such as Connexions, counselling support, housing mediation, drug and alcohol workers, and health and contraception services in one location.' Explains Tim Mitchell, Chief Executive, Positive Steps Oldham.
'As well as this The Centre also provides access to computers, showers, washing and kitchen facilities. Extended opening hours, late nights and weekend's means the services delivered here are at a time and location when young people need them.'
Young people that have engaged with a range of services and projects delivered by Positive Steps were on hand to meet with Ed Balls, and Ian Wright to tell them of their experiences.
Several projects at Positive Steps Oldham are being backed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families' Aiming High for Young People: A Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities. Aiming High, which runs until 2011, aims to provide all young people, particularly those in deprived areas, with fun things to do and safe places to go in their free time which can help them develop new skills and raise their aspirations. Under Aiming High, £4.158m has been made available in Oldham until 2011 to ensure there are places to go and things to do for young people at times that they most want and need them, especially Friday and Saturday nights
