A Weymouth youth worker is concerned by a rise in poverty amongst young people in the town and says that Dorset Council is ‘failing’ its youth.

Weymouth has some of the most deprived areas in the England, with Westham, Rodwell and Melcombe Regis falling into the top 20 per cent of areas in the country suffering from economic deprivation.

Tom Lane, of the charity STEPS, says the increase in young people and children in the town who are living with the effects of poverty is 'tragic'.

In the last 10 years Weymouth has lost two full time youth centres in cuts to youth funding, which Mr Lane says are 'a false economy'. 

He said: “There has been a noticeable increase in the last few years, and over the last 10 really, of clear signs of poverty – it’s tragic.

“We just want to give them the widest of life choices, but they are struggling.”

STEPS offers young people from ages 13 to 19 a place to escape the hardships of day-to-day life by providing a safe space where support and advice can be given.

READ: Weymouth overlooked for latest government funding

A recent survey by the charity revealed that just over two thirds of young people who were asked experienced poverty at home.

Mr Lane added: "Some come in hungry as there is nothing to eat, they say ‘the cupboards are bare’, we obviously feed them, and we also offer support and advice to access foodbanks.

“We also have young people turn up with hygiene problems, due to their clothes not being washed as the family are worried about the bills.”

Since 2016, Dorset Council has cut back heavily on its youth services with Weymouth going from three full time youth centres to just one.

Mr Lane continued: “There is a failing to not invest in young people in our county - it is a false economy to cut youth services.

“Because there is no legal requirement to provide youth services, when budgets get done, the first thing to cut is what they don’t have to provide.

“It is a moral issue how we support our young people – a moral duty to provide for our young people outside of school – it is ridiculous to cut them."

READ: Council responds to Weymouth missing out on government grant

Dorset Council does provide a youth fund grants programme, which allows youth clubs and groups to apply for up to £5,000 per year, and is committed to the safety of young people in Weymouth.

Councillor Byron Quayle, Dorset Council portfolio holder for children, education, and early help, said: “Dorset Council has been recognised for its ground-breaking work with children and families and has been selected as one of three local authorities to be a pathfinder in the government’s new programme to ensure families are better supported. 

“This will drive investment to the area, which we will prioritise spending on children and young people.

“We are working to distribute funding to families experiencing hardship through our Household Support Fund, in particular offering free school meal vouchers in the school holidays and financial support to our care leavers.

“We employ targeted youth workers for community safety and collaboration with police, organisations, and schools.

"The targeted youth worker has also been invited to join the group to regenerate the harbour area of Weymouth to ensure that young people are part of the decision-making process and have spaces they feel able to enjoy in their free time in.“

The council has also developed the ‘Pineapple Project’ for young women's safety in Weymouth town centre since 2021, and supports young people aged 16 to 18 in employment, education, and training.

Cllr Quayle added: “The Dorset Youth Grant has almost 100 grants totalling £400k. Recipients include youth clubs from across the county, activities for young people with disabilities and access to activities including sport, arts, music and cookery."

The council also provides grants for vulnerable groups, including bereaved, young carers, and LGBTQ+ youth and says it is committed to offering support at the right time, collaborating with community organisations.

People in the Weymouth area can contact the Chesil Locality for support at: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/-/chesil-locality