Connexions branches out in South

20th January 2006, 12:00am
The Connexions service for teenagers may be on its way out as a national entity but business is booming in at least one part of the country.

In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, popular drop-in centres, run by South central Connexions, are to be open on Saturdays in response to demand from young people in the region.

Connexions advises 13 to 19-year-olds on education, careers, relationships, bullying, stress, health, money, personal development and volunteering.

South Central Connexions says it has seen a dramatic rise in the number of users since it moved seven of its 15 centres to high-street sites. The service is also trying to reach teenagers in rural areas by opening in community centres.