A BLACKPOOL MP has praised the work force at a new youth hub.
During a visit to The Oracle building on St Annes Road, South Shore, Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South, met youngsters and staff.
He said: “Having lobbied hard for Blackpool to get this facility for young people with money from the Labour Government’s My Space programme it’s great for me to see it built and in operation.”
More than 855 young people are using the facility to learn new skills and meet new people when it is open throughout the week, which includes during the day and three evenings a week.
The interior of the state-of-the-art facility, which opened in June this year, was designed and planned by the young people themselves.
Mr Marsden added: “It was good to meet with staff and discuss the range of services The Oracle provides and see the teaching of functional Skills in action.
“It was also good to meet and chat with young mothers doing a 12-week course on life skills with everything from healthy living and team work to self defence – and with a creche on site to facilitate this.
“It is vital that funding is kept in place for facilities such as The Oracle.
“Getting more groups on board should help the council as it is looking at getting the future funding in place for 2014.
“We need to back them with this and press education ministers to support Blackpool‘s young people to get the confidence and skills that will help them find fulfilling jobs and careers.
“I would encourage groups to come along and see this bright and pioneering building.”
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