Forty thousand pounds of funding to provide activities for young people in Marlborough remains unspent, with almost half the financial year gone.
That’s the message going out to youth groups and parish councils this week, as Marlborough’s Local Youth Network seeks to find and establish projects to provide positive activities for young people.
As reported by Marlborough News Online back in March the Local Youth Network (LYN) was established as a new model for voluntary-led youth provision after Wiltshire Council withdrew from non-statutory youth provision, like running youth centres.
A pot of money was provided by the council in October 2015 as part of the Community Led-Model, to help local organisations provide projects and activities for young people in the Marlborough area.
And while some of the cash from this year’s grant has been spent – volunteers were given funding to run a youth club in Marlborough’s former youth centre, Aldbourne ran a series of events throughout the summer holidays for teenagers, and more awards are in the pipeline – there is still £40,000 remaining.
“Both the Area Board and the Local Youth Network are extremely keen for clubs, groups, or organisations to get in touch,” said Community Youth Officer Jan Bowra.
“The projects must be one that young people are keen to get involved with and will need to meet the criteria set out in the on-line application.
“The Area Board on the recommendation of the Local Youth Network Management Group, have already awarded over £7,500 to local groups, and would love to hear from many more.”
Projects need to benefit young people between the ages of 13 and 19, or up to 25 for people with disabilities or special educational needs.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available, with support available from Jan for anyone who wants to make an application.
The applications are considered by a board of volunteers – the LYN – which includes young people. The LYN then makes a recommendation to the Area Board, which holds the funding and must approve applications before money is awarded.
And young people must be involved in the planning of the project – if they are not running it themselves, there must be evidence of consultation – to ensure the it is accessible, affordable, wanted, and valued by young people.
There are three grant submission deadlines between now and the end of the year: October 12, December 24, and February 22. More information, and an online application form, can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityyouthactivitiesgrants Jan can be contacted at janette.bowra@wiltshire.gov.uk
