A series of announcements from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer MP, which will see large investment for young people’s services has been welcomed by the MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford.
The Government have announced new support for up to 5,000 young people aged 14-16 at risk of falling out of education, employment or training after school, by offering intensive mentoring and wraparound support. The ‘Building Futures’ programme will be led by the Youth Futures Foundation and supported by £15 million of Dormant Assets funding. Further details about the programme and locations will be released by the Youth Futures Foundation later this year.
The Secretary of State has also launched the next phase of the ‘Million Hours Fund’ in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund. This will provide £19 million in grants to youth organisations in areas across England identified as having high rates of anti-social behaviour to provide additional hours of any youth activity that is ‘open to all’. Local authorities and organisations can find out further details or apply at www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/million-hours.
The Department has launched a further year of the ‘Adventures Away from Home Fund’ which will provide bursaries for around 7,500 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, across England, to access outdoor trips.
The CMS Department will also be supporting the UK Year of Service, funded alongside the National Citizen Service Trust, which will provide meaningful 9-12 months work placements to at least 100 young people, across the United Kingdom, setting them on a positive path towards long-term employment, education or training.
Steve Brine said : “I believe it is vitally important that young people are given the support they need to maximise their potential and have a fair shot at success and I am delighted to be working with expert organisations that will help to provide this. I would encourage local employers and youth organisations in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford to get involved with these new programmes.”
To underpin these measures, the Government are providing a package of support for the youth sector. Including Existing regional youth work units will receiving £40,000 each over the next two years to facilitate greater coordination between youth services across all eight English regions, making sure the sector is well-informed, skilled and able to meet young people’s needs. Allocating £250,000 to encourage and support the creation of 10 more Local Youth Partnerships to improve services on a more local level, in areas eligible for the Youth Investment Fund (YIF). And Finally training bursaries for more than 500 youth workers and volunteers across England, who would otherwise be unable to undertake training.
