After nine years working with the families of East Central Bristol, there is now a real risk that the East Bristol Youth Inclusion Programme will not have its funding renewed. We believe that this cut will have a negative impact, not just on local young people, but also on the wider community. We, the undersigned, urge the youth justice board to ensure that money for preventative work remains protected, so that young people can be given the necessary support to remain out of the youth justice system, and live fulfilling and empowered lives.

It costs around £100,000 of tax payer's money for a young person to spend a year in a youth offending institute, yet our project receives less funding than this and worked with over 250 'at risk' young people last year.