A PETITION has been launched in a desperate attempt to save a popular youth drop-in facility.

Andover Community Action Group created the petition to save The Junction on Friday, January 20, and has had more than 500 signatures as the Advertiser went to press.

The facility, an information, advice and guidance centre for young people, was first opened in 2004.

It now faces closure after the county council announced plans to cut funding by £56,000 next financial year – more than half its funding.

Service users, staff and councillors picketed the centre in protest last week.

Nikki Irvine, from the action group, said: “The drop-in centre is a unique resource which provides a multitude of services, with counselling being just a small part of what they have to offer.

“We have had the pleasure of working with some of the service users on other campaigns and the passion and commitment they show is inspirational.

“The young people themselves are honest enough to say that without the support and intervention of staff at the Junction, they may well not be alive today.

“The staff are modest and humble and the work they do generally goes unnoticed by most of us but they have somehow managed to provide a safe haven and a family to many who may not experience that outside of the Junction.

“There is nowhere else in Andover that does what the Junction does, it’s that simple.”

The Junction’s Charles Taylor said: “The Junction is a most valuable support service for the Andover community and to lose it would be catastrophic for the young people of our town.

“The support we have received in recent weeks from councillors, the local MP, current and ex-service users, professional partners, parents and the general public has been overwhelming and shows how highly regarded and relevant our centre is.

“I would like to personally thank everybody that attended our protest and for all the positive and kind words expressed to us.

“In the current climate of rising mental health problems, suicides and homelessness amongst young people, to close a centre, that is equipped with very experienced staff, multiple resources, which has an extremely high footfall and a proven track record of positive outcomes is beyond belief.

“If the Junction closes, I believe there will be a hugely negative knock on effect.”

MP Kit Malthouse expressed his support this week.