Youth counselling service keeps funding

The NSW government has dropped plans to strip $80,000 in funding for a leading queer counselling service.

In August the Star Observer reported that the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service (GLCS), run by LGBTI youth support group Twenty10, was one of seven community organisations recommended for defunding in a review conducted by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS).

Last week, however, Twenty10 were contacted by the Department advising them that funding would continue on condition that the money is not used for the counselling service alone.

Nonetheless, Twenty10 managingdirector Rebecca Reynolds said the decision is a huge relief.

“The [GLCS] service has been running for 40 years now, and is staffed by an amazing and committed group of volunteers. We’ve reshuffled a bit, but there’s no way we’re going to remove it; our intention is to grow it as much as we can,” she said.

INFO: twenty10.org.au