A DECISION by the fire service to discontinue a “much needed” youth support scheme has been branded as “saddening”. 

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has taken the decision to not continue with funding for the Prince’s Trust youth support scheme. 

Held every year, the Prince’s Trust along with the fire service held a 12-week team programme for people aged 16-25 and involved a mixture of group activity sessions and distance learning video activities. 

The scheme enabled participants to gain the evidence required for the Prince’s Trust Employment, Teamwork and Community Skills qualification. 

Bournemouth Echo: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue ServiceDorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (Image: Daily Echo)

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Marc House said: “As you will be aware many public services are facing challenging financial times, and we, like others are looking at ways that we can balance the impacts of inflationary pressures across the board, including increases to goods and services and threats to government grants and broader funding, alongside delivering our statutory responsibilities and maintaining business as usual. 

“For us to address these issues we have reviewed the work that we undertake, which includes our youth intervention programmes.  

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“Whilst this work has been incredibly successful for us, our partners and the students involved, the financial position we are now in means that we are unable to take any further bookings or deliver courses beyond the end of the 2022/23 financial year. 

“We recognise the contributions of all who have been involved and thank them for their support in delivering these programmes.” 

Mr House added the fire service will continue to provide targeted fire safety education sessions in schools. 

Cllr Julie Bagwell, deputy mayor of Poole, said she is “gob smacked” to hear the news, adding: “It’s sad and I know the impact it has on the fire service. They do a lot of excess work.  

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“The youngsters it did help it really helped them and it is really sad that it has stopped. 

“I can understand where the fire brigade are coming from, everybody has to tighten their belts.  

“It helped an awful lot of youngsters stay out of prison and the youngsters who have taken part are extremely lucky to have done so.” 

The Prince’s Trust has been approached for a comment.