Opportunity knocks for young people
Young people are being urged to come forward and apply for a share of Warwickshire’s Youth Opportunity Fund.
Young people can benefit from a total £500,000 fund which will improve facilities and activities in Warwickshire - and it is the youngsters themselves who decide where the money should go.
Warwickshire County Council has been allocated the money to increase the opportunities available for young people and encourage their involvement and participation in community projects. The fund is a Government initiative operated through Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families directorate.
Individuals and groups are invited to apply for grants for youth projects, schemes or facilities they would like to develop. Last year the fund was used to help projects ranging from setting up a youth radio station to organising an Asian girls group.
There are many different opportunities for young people who want to put forward their ideas and make them a reality.
With support from youth workers, a panel of fifty young Warwickshire people are involved as decision makers, grant givers and project leaders for the fund.
Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families directorate, said: “The continued success of the fund is a shining example of what can be achieved by young people, for young people.
“This fund is a chance for young people to realise their potential and do something worthwhile. Voluntary organisations, groups and youth clubs should actively encourage the youngsters that they work with, especially the hardest to reach, to come forward with their ideas.”
Since the introduction of the Youth Opportunity Fund in 2006 Warwickshire has allocated more than £988,000 to 215 projects.
Application packs are available by calling Warwickshire County Council on 01926 742498 or 01926 742492.
Youth projects which benefited from funding last year included:
North Warwickshire – A group of 11 to 15-year-olds put in a bid to build an eco garden at their school and were awarded a grant of £4,900 for specialist machinery, soil, turf and plants.
Nuneaton and Bedworth – £4,000 was awarded to four young people to produce a DVD to help 15 to 16-year-olds in foster care understand what will happen to them and options available.
A teenager was awarded a grant of £1,200 to run taster bhangra dance sessions at youth clubs across Nuneaton and Bedworth.
A grant of £600 gave a group of Asian girls the chance to start a youth club in Nuneaton giving them somewhere to go one evening a week.
Warwick District – A new youth radio station, Abbey FM, was set up in Kenilworth thanks to a £8,400 grant. The broadband station, based at Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre, hit the airwaves in July. Young people were trained by professionals in all areas of broadcast protocol and given the opportunity to gain a qualification in broadcast journalism.
Stratford – A group of 64 young people with disabilities set up multi sports session. A grant award of £6,000 was given to the ILEAP (Inclusive Leisure Educational Activities) project.
Rugby – Three youngsters from Bretford successfully applied for a £9,000 grant to build a BMX track in the village for young people.