Centre sought for girls

Press, 3 July 1979, Page 18

Centre sought for girls

Residential Extension Care, a group of social workers, wants to set up a “half-way” house in Christchurch for girls who cannot! cope with family problems. I The group. Bill Philp, I Brian Pegler, Liz Mclntyre, ■ and Sally Harper, believes that many young people have nowhere to turn to in times of stress at home. Mr Philp said one of their main concerns was for! young people who left institutions such as the Kingslea girls’ home “where everything has been laid on,” went straight back to i their families, and then [found that the}’ could not 'cope. The group wanted to set up a “short-to-medium term” care centre with about six beds for girls aged between about 12 and 16. “If things break down in the family home kids could come to us, spend a night.

and get a little bit of coiiß-" selling or help," said MJ Philp. Anyone who used centre would be expected n. [help to maintain the place land to pay their own way possible. I The main problem at tlie moment was to raise enough money to buy a house fairJJ close to the city centre. Tin? group had had • with the Social Welfare Department and had also apr proached the Housing Ccft poration. After an initial grant tlur group expected the centre tti i become self-supporting. TIJ>. group had already had offeMT of help from a number : people, including a solicitffp ’ who was prepared to ; his services free. 1 Girls could be referred from the centre to othe£ i agencies. A parents’ advicu I centre might also be estaS- , lished.