Ponders End teenagers are launching a campaign fighting for better provision of services for young people

A-Level students have highlighted the ‘shocking’ £1.1 billion cuts to funding for local youth services since 2010, writes Kinga Plata

Students at Four Ponders End are fighting against funding cuts to youth services by launching their own campaign.

Oasis Academy Hadley A-Level students Farah, Ruya, Adea and Alisa have launched a campaign called ‘Secure Teen Zones’ which aims to create safe and supportive spaces for teenagers in their local area as well as across London.

The teenagers highlighted the “shocking” £1.1bn of cuts to funding for local youth services that the YMCA estimates have been made across the UK since 2010.

To improve the situation, achieve their goals, raise awareness and gather resources, the students became actively involved in their local community.

So far they have held a bake sale raising over £200 and the funds have enabled them to purchase sports equipment, educational games, sanitary ware, cakes and arts and crafts supplies, which they are donating to the local center of youth.

They also created a GoFundMe account to collect more donations and created an Instagram account, @secureteenzones, to raise awareness and rally support through social media.

Their fundraising trip also led them to participate in the Inspire US campaign competition, which gives the five winning teams the chance to travel to Washington DC just before election week in November this year.

Zoe Thompson, Principal of Oasis Academy, expressed her pride in the students and said: “Our students have shown outstanding dedication and initiative with the Secure Teen Zones campaign. They make a real difference in our community and their hard work is truly inspiring.”

Thompson added: “These students are a shining example of how our young people can lead and inspire change. Their campaign is not only about improving facilities, but also about drawing attention to the needs of our young people. I encourage everyone to support Secure Teen Zones in any way they can.”

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