EASTLEIGH'S MAYOR AND MP PROMOTE TEENAGERS'S DROP-IN CENTRE

12.49.29pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Jul 2004

The Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Mrs June Hughes, and the town's MP David Chidgey have joined forces to help select the winners in the poster competition aimed at promoting Hedge End's Teenage Drop -In Centre.

The Mayor said:

"The standard of the entrants to the competition was exceptional and judging the winners was a real challenge to us all. I am delighted that so many young people have responded with their offerings.

With well over a hundred entries from Wildern school alone to consider, the Mayor and Mr Chidgey welcomed help from local artist Susan Rubira, Gerwyn Clegg, Chairman of the local youth council and the rest of the Drop-In Centre team. The poster competition is the brainchild of Dr Ruth Padday, director of the centre, and promotes the opening of a new satellite centre at "The Box", in Wildern Lane. Cash prizes are being provided for the best designs for posters, computer mats and screen savers. Generous funding from Solvay Health Care Ltd has met all the set up costs of IT and other equipment needed for the satellite centre.

Dr Padday said:

"Our drop-in centres provide confidential advice and information for teenagers about contraception, drugs and alcohol, relationships, bullying and abuse, and acne. Since our Hedge End centre opened in 1995, we have had around a thousand contacts a year from teenagers seeking confidential help or advice.

Mr Chidgey said:

"The Hedge End Drop-In Centre has helped thousands of teenagers with a wide range of concerns over many years. I am delighted to help launch the satellite centre at "The Box" in Wildern Lane, extending the reach of this invaluable confidential service to many more young people. I shall be keeping the pressure on the health authorities to make sure that these centres are fully supported."

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY

Cllr June Hughes and David Chidgey MP will be presenting certificates and prizes to the winners at a presentation evening at "The Box", Wildern Lane, Hedge End, on 15th July, starting at 7.30.pm.