Spending cuts affecting kids' services or any others?

[emc]

Hi there

I am working on an item about how the spending cuts are affecting local services, especially ones that might be relevant to families...so, if you know of any council funded activites about to be closed down (apart from Sure Start as we have already covered this) pls can you get in touch...am thinking things like library services, art clubs, drama clubs, petting farms etc....thanks v much.

[Otta]

I was due to start work with a 16 year old, registered blind girl, in an East End LA. She needs mobility training so that she can get a guide dog. Yesterday I was told by her 6th form college, that VI provision was under review due to cuts, and it was unlikely that there would be funds for mobility training. This will make a big difference in this girl's life, at least in the short term (couple of years).

[Cora]

The mobile libraries have been cut...a real shame. They used to visit Bessemer every two weeks and there were regulars using it as well as families who had never gone into a library being encouraged to use the service. The kids used to look like they were in a sweet shop when they were reassured it was free and they could take out more than one book!

[Cora]

Might be worth talking to the Albrighton Centre too as I know they have had alot of their funding cut....

[bawdy-nan]

you can download all the papers about the cuts from Southwark Council website

[crescent]

Is it just Southwark, or is a Lewisham tale ok too? There used to be 3 Lewisham funded toddler activities at Sydenham Hill Community centre, just on Sydenham Hill, which is exactly the border between Southwark and Lewisham. Monday's song/ rhyme time, Wednesday was a baby/ toddler mini-gym, and Friday was a toy library drop-in - all cut, at very short notice: think we were notified at the beginning of March, and they stopped at the end of the month.

It's a real shame, as they were very well-attended, and now there is nothing in this corner of Southwark/ Lewisham. The rhyme times at Forest Hill Library/ Dulwich Library are already a bit like the New Years sales...the reduction of these services means that busy over-crowded events become even more so...

[Otta]

Crecent, agreed. We used all the groups you mention, and it's a bloody shame they're gone, and lots of the ladies running them are now jobless.