The government is moving to help young people stay on the right path as it announces the roll out of £3m worth of the million hours fund during anti-social behaviour awareness week.
The investment, which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is launching in collaboration with the National Lottery Community Fund, will give youth organisations the chance to win grants so they can deliver more out-of-school activities and support youngsters in areas of need.
The government believe that, by providing young people with more opportunities to stay safe with something engaging as well as someone who they can trust, it can help steer people away from bad life choices.
The first round of the funding will see the provision of youth workers, volunteers, venue hire and activity resources all expanded.
Youth staff will also look to reach those at particular risk by engaging them in the environments they already spend a lot of time in – i.e. parks and leisure facilities.
The Million Hours Fund is supporting youth services to offer more opportunities for those in need over summer
— Department for Culture, Media and Sport (@DCMS) July 3, 2023
£3 million of funding will enable greater provision of out-of-school activities for young people living in anti-social behaviour hotspots
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“Every young person, no matter where they’re from, deserves the best start in life and opportunities to fulfil their potential,” said, the culture secretary Lucy Frazer.
“Youth clubs play a central role here - not only offering sports, games and skills development, but also helping support those in need and providing vital role models.”
Young people aged 11 to 18 and those aged up to 25 with disabilities and special educational needs will benefit from more opportunities through the summer, according to the government.
Organisations are being invited to apply for the £3m funding pot now, as applications for the million hours fund’s residual £8m are expected to open in the autumn.
The National Lottery Community Fund’s chief executive, David Knott, added: “We’re delighted to jointly fund this initiative to bring much needed additional youth provision and positive activities to young people across England.
“As we say in our new 2030 strategy, ‘It starts with community’, we will focus National Lottery funding on supporting children and young people to thrive, strengthening society and improving lives.”
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