One of the privileges of my job is that it allows me into local organisations to meet the people who work in them and to hear about the work they do. 

Having met a number of those involved with Sure Start I was disappointed to read newspaper reports that there are doubts whether the service they provide is worth the money spent. I hope before any decisions are made Government ministers will visit Sure Start branches to see for themselves what valuable work is done.

This week I visited Kidderminster Connexions (01562 820110) at their offices in Kidderminster Youth House. They incorporate the former Careers Service and provide support for pupils in Years 9 - 13 with special emphasis on those in Year 11. 
Personal Advisers have offices in Kidderminster College, all our senior schools and those in Hagley and at the Special Schools and Pupil Referral Units. Staff members liaise with key partners including local employers, Youth and Social Services, housing organisations, health groups, the Job Centre, the police and others. Their aims are to support young people in education and training and to help them to make vocational choices and to find training and work positions. They explore local job opportunities from all sources including shop notice boards and display these on their notice board and in their excellent newsletters. Their service is free both to young people seeking advice and to employers wishing to fill vacancies suitable for young people. Apprentice training is available in Wyre Forest but there is never enough to cater for the need and more employers from companies of all sizes are needed to help fill this gap as apprenticeship places at schools or the College are limited by the availability of practical on-the-job training.

Another vital function of Connexions is to assist the other agencies that help homeless young people find accommodation. Here we are at a disadvantage compared with some other parts of the county.

We have no hostel for emergency accommodation for young people or Foyer branch as in Worcester for supported accommodation. Wyre Forest Community Housing (WFCH) has to use bed and breakfast facilities for emergencies for the homeless of all ages and there is only limited supported accommodation in the area. 

An exciting new arrival that shares premises with Connexions is Wyre Forest Nightstop and Mediation. 
This arranges emergency short term accommodation in the homes of trained and approved volunteers thus buying time for mediation or longer term arrangements. That there are such people in our community prepared to offer this help to troubled young people on a voluntary basis is marvellous. This service is just beginning and can offer help from Mondays to Thursdays now but hopefully this will extend soon. Details are available from Connexions who, with organisations like Social Services, WFCH and the Citizens Advice Bureau can make referrals to Nightstop