'It's not a building, it's a lifeline' - MP's praise for Dudley youth centre

Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley, met with staff at Meadow Road youth centre on the Wrens Nest estate.

She voiced concerns that funding cuts by Dudley Council could pose a risk to the future of the centre and its youth work programme. 

Miss Kumar said the centre provided a safe haven for 11-18-year-olds and their families, offering a welcoming space for them to connect, grow, and thrive. But she warned that funding cuts announced in Dudley Council's budget, which will save the authority £80,000 a year, but remove the role of sessional youth worker 

She said many of the young people who attended the centre later returned as volunteers, a testament to the centre’s lasting impact on the community. 

Miss Kumar met with a youth worker who had worked at the centre for 12 years, who told her how it had helped steer countless young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour by giving them a positive outlet and a sense of purpose. 

“Youth centres like Meadow Road are not just buildings, they are lifelines," she said.

"They give young people a better chance in life by offering support, structure, and a sense of belonging. When we invest in youth services, we invest in safer streets, stronger communities, and brighter futures. 

"Cutting funding to places like this is short-sighted and deeply damaging.”

Miss Kumar said Dudley Council's recent decision to reduce funding for youth workers had sparked concern among residents and community leaders, who fear the centre may be forced to reduce its services or even close. 

“We cannot afford to lose centres like this,” she added. “They are essential to tackling the root causes of crime and building a better future for our young people.”