Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson, met with the Young Volunteers Group of the The Box Project based in Doxford to discuss the importance of youth work.

The Box Project is a very active youth work organisation, who work within the local community and abroad. They run community fundraising projects, peer educator training and the hugely successful Project Gambia.

A particular concern was the impact that disproportionate government cuts to local council budgets are having upon the funding of organisations such as the The Box Project.

Bridget said:

“It was great to meet such an impressive group of young people from The Box Project in Doxford. The work that they do is so important, both for our young people and our wider communities.”

“It was really valuable to hear about the difference that youth work has made to the lives of these young people. It is important for the case to be made consistently and persuasively for continued investment in our young people, who do not often receive the press they deserve and who are often working hard to develop their skills and get on.”

“I will be continuing to push for government to provide fairer funding throughout the country and will be making the case for the importance of early intervention.”