THE CYC Cabinet will shortly be discussing the closure of the Castlegate Information, Advice and Counselling Centre for young people aged 16 to 25 (The Press, September 30).

Over the years Castlegate, and its predecessor, the Youth Enquiry Service, has supported thousands of York young people in the complex transition from being a child to adulthood.

The service has been praised by councillors, MPs from across the country, the previous Secretary of State for Education, and most importantly by the young people themselves. To quote from an Ofsted report: “the young people were effusive about the service” saying that the “support had turned their lives around” and had “made them feel they I were worth something”.

I understand the financial difficulties that councils are subjected to by this government, with its policy of dismantling public services, but the report to Cabinet suggests that the closure of Castlegate will have little impact in the city.

Advice services in the city are already completely overwhelmed and not necessarily experienced in dealing with chaotic, vulnerable and sometimes angry young people. To pretend that this service will not be missed is just wrong.

Young people will now have considerably less support in the city and the wonderful advice staff now face redundancy.

Dawn Moores, Palmes Close, Naburn, York.