A YOUTH CLUB for disabled teenagers in Wantage that is under threat from council cuts has been hailed as “vital” by the headteacher of a special school.

Barbara Harker, headteacher at Fitzwaryn School, said losing the Beatbox club would cost the youngsters their social lives.

The club uses the Sweatbox youth centre, which could lose all Oxfordshire County Council funding along with 19 others. It is feared these will close unless volunteers step in.

Every Thursday about 25 teenagers with learning difficulties go to the club at King Alfred’s College’s east site in Springfield Road. Mrs Harker said: “It is vitally important because students like ours find it difficult to make these first steps integrating socially and it gives them a safe place to manage themselves socially.

“It is really disappointing to families that it is under threat.”

The school caters for children aged three to 16 with moderate to multiple learning difficulties.

Stephen Mika, father of 15-year-old Alexander Lapsley-Mika, who has severe learning difficulties, said the club had played a significant role in his child’s life.

Mr Mika, 60, of Letcombe Regis, said: “Beatbox is a fabulous place for children with learning difficulties as it gives them an experience of a youth club. My son is going to lose a life experience.”

The Conservative-controlled council has said youth work will be concentrated at seven ‘hubs’ with services geared towards helping the most vulnerable, such as those with substance abuse issues.

There would be two in Oxford and centres in Banbury, Bicester, Witney, Abingdon and Didcot.

Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said no decisions had yet been taken.