We joined Birmingham demonstrators as they marched to save youth services from budget cuts

BirminghamWorld

Hundreds gathered in the city centre to protest against Birmingham city council's proposed cuts to youth service on Tuesday, organised by Unite the union and the Save Birmingham Youth Service campaign.

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:03 To kind of fight for the young people of Birmingham,

00:07 the young people who are kind of struggling

00:09 during this cost of living crisis,

00:10 we need trusted adults to speak to.

00:12 We need to receive hot meals in the youth centres

00:14 that they attend to.

00:15 We need to have trusted adults to speak to.

00:17 To you, are you ready to save Birmingham youth service?

00:21 [CHEERING]

00:24 Do you love what I say?

00:26 Let's walk!

00:28 [CHEERING]

00:29 I've been a councillor for 10 years.

00:32 And for that 10 years, I've been championing

00:34 children and young people.

00:35 And championing these guys behind me,

00:38 I've been championing the youth service,

00:39 because I think that youth services make

00:42 a massive difference to the lives of young people.

00:45 And at the moment, although we don't

00:47 know the full extent of the budget cuts that

00:49 might be coming, we know that youth services,

00:53 as a non-statutory service, are very

00:56 likely to be cut in the next round of budget cuts.

00:59 I'm hoping that the political leaders of this council

01:04 see the passion and the energy from young people

01:08 that have come out today.

01:09 It's pouring down with rain, but young people

01:12 have come out to try and rally, to show them how

01:17 important their services are.

01:19 Youth work is about uniting for a common cause,

01:22 challenging the status quo.

01:25 And making the world a better place for those that follow.

01:28 Say it with me, youth work works.

01:30 Youth work works.

01:32 Youth work definitely changes lives.

01:34 I was actually locked in yesterday.

01:36 I was kidnapped.

01:37 I got sent to a youth centre for some support.

01:39 And the investment that they gave in me

01:41 means I'm now doing that every day for other young people.

01:44 I'm hoping that the councillors will listen to us

01:46 and realise the importance of our voice,

01:48 and how important youth services are to our youth community.

01:52 For some people, it's their lifeline.

01:53 And it's imperative that they stay open.

01:56 Let's keep fighting.

01:57 Let's stay strong.

01:59 And let's make these reconsider the cuts which

02:01 they are aiming to do, which is diminish the service, which

02:05 is saving our children.

02:07 It's saving the future.

02:09 These places are safe homes for these people.

02:13 They go to these places because it's safe for them to do so.

02:17 These places also provide food, not only for the children that

02:21 attend these centres, but also food for the families.

02:24 Why is that?

02:25 Because of cuts.

02:27 Continued cuts.

02:28 That's all it is.

02:29 Let's attack the children's services.

02:31 Let's attack the children's hubs.

02:35 All I want to say is, people, thank you for coming here today.

02:39 Let's keep fighting.

02:40 You and I will be with you every step of the way.

02:42 And we will fight.

02:43 And we will keep fighting until we get what we want,

02:46 until our voices are heard.

02:47 Thank you very much.

02:48 Stay strong.

02:49 [CHEERING]

02:52 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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