The Web funded for longer hours

The Web Youth Service will receive a $100,000 funding boost from the State Government to enable it to extend its opening hours to include Saturday nights.

The service, which is based at the Peninsula Community Centre at Woy Woy, provides a range of recreational and support services for local young people aged 12 to 17 years on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, announced the additional funding of $53,500 a year for two years.

The service will use the money to employ an extra two youth workers, allowing the centre to stay open on Saturday nights.

"Thanks to this new funding, the Web Youth Service will now be able to extend its valuable services to include Saturday nights.

"Young people in the Woy Woy area will now be have another recreational option on weekends as well as increased access to much needed support services."

The Web Youth Service already receives Department of Community Services (DoCS) funding of $85,000 per annum through the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP).

Ms Andrews said that the extra space made available by the opening of the Peninsula Community Centre in August last year had seen the number of young people using the Web Youth service double already.

"The injection of an extra $100,000 means that the whole community, especially local young people, will benefit from the Web's extended opening hours."

As is normal practice, DoCS will review the funding arrangement after a year.

Web Youth Service manager Mr Dion Richardson welcomed the funding boost saying improved services for local youth would flow.

"I am pleased to accept the funding because it will significantly improve our ability to assist Central Coast youth," Mr Richardson said.

Media release, February 25