A youth worker who ran in recent local elections says more needs to be done for west Dorset youngsters - as a town youth club battles for survival.

Alani Cook, 20, from Bridport, stood as an independent town councillor for Bridport’s Central Ward in the recent May election partly because she says there is a lack of services in the area for young people.

She says 'there is nothing' for young people 'in this rural area' to do.

Despite missing out on a seat on Bridport Town Council, Ms Cook spoke to the News about her plans to continue campaigning for more activities for young people in town.

She works at Bridport Youth and Community Centre, which is seeking to raise £20,000 to keep going.

Ms Cook said: “I’ve been in and out of Bridport all my life but I’ve moved back for a year now and there is not much going on.

“I would like to see more activities on offer for teens, as there is nothing to do and being in a rural area does not help. Young people in these kinds of areas need this engagement.

“I also want to see people put in more effort in engaging with young people."

Ms Cook said that she ran for the position of town councillor in order to represent young people in town as she thought they needed a voice.

She has spent time listening to concerns at the under threat youth centre and from members of environmental campaign group Sustainable Bridport.

At the current time of writing, the community has raised around £9,815 for the youth centre - 49 per cent of the overall amount needed.
 

Having attended youth clubs at the centre herself in the past, Ms Cook said that the survival of the centre is vital for the town.

She said: “The centre is our community, and the youth club is a must. I don’t think the town will survive without it. It is such an important place and kept me going.

“To strip the town of the centre would be horrible and I’m concerned for the bad impact it would make to the area.

“It’s clear that the community cares about the youth club and lots of people believe in it, and there are big plans for activities to carry on there but it is so difficult to do that without the funding.”

As part of Bridport’s Town of Culture project, 18 to 25 year-olds in Bridport are being asked to take part in creating events between June to December including exhibitions, dance, films and street performances.

Ms Cook added: “There is a lot of potential with the town of culture to promote activities for young people and I hope many will get involved.”