A YOUTH charity has expressed sadness that it is no longer operating services in the area. 

The Door Youth Project has had its services suspended after its contract with Wotton Town Council expired. 

Staff used to run three free sessions a week for children aged 11 to 17 years old at Wotton Youth Centre near the Chipping car park. 

However, the contract ended on Friday, September 9 and the town council is now looking at options for new youth interim support services. 

Victoria Robson, chief executive of The Door, said the news does not affect other centres in the Stroud district like in Cam and Dursley. 

She said: “The Door has successfully completed its contract with Wotton-under-Edge Town Council to run youth work sessions in the town.  

“The council has suspended its provision for now, and we understand that they are preparing to issue an invitation to tender for youth work services at a future date.

“We would like to stress that this in no way affects the community and centre based youth work that The Door continues to do both in the other centres where we are currently contracted like in Cam, Dursley, Avening, Fairford, Stonehouse and Stroud.”

Chris Scorah, Youthwork manager at the Door said the team is ready to support anyone who needs extra support in this ‘challenging’ time. 

He said: “It is with sadness that we announce that The Door will no longer be the provider at the Youth Club in Wotton-under-Edge. 

“The Door would like to reassure the young people and families of this area that we are continuing our support for you. 

“Our intensive support team is ready to work with any young person or family who needs extra support in this very challenging time and will indeed continue with those that we already do. 

“We will miss you all and our thoughts and prayers will remain with you.”

In a previous Wotton Town Council meeting in August it was decided that the council would award the contract to the National Youth Agency. 

Whilst also carrying out consultations with young people and local stakeholders and training for councillors on youth work. 

A council document says: “It was resolved to award the contract to the National Youth Agency, to include consideration of the history of youth service provision for Wotton and move forward to make it fit for purpose for a long time to come.”

Wotton youth interim support services will be discussed at the next annual meeting of Wotton Town Council on Wednesday, September 28.