First recipients of £380m Youth Investment Fund announced

The government will announced the first recipients of the £380 million Youth Investment Fund, which funds youth services, facilities and organisations for young people in areas with poor provision.

£12 million funding has been fast-tracked to local youth services where supply is currently far short of meeting demand. This will help to level up access to services, trusted youth workers and dedicated facilities for young people.

The funding will help to expand the reach and range of services on offer, meet demand and reduce running costs. It will be used to cover small-scale capital improvements such as providing new laptops to youth groups, small redevelopments of buildings and facilities, and improving transport, such as providing a new minibus for a youth club so they can keep young people safe and extend activities beyond their local area.

Examples of those supported through the fund and being announced include Carlisle Youth Zone, which provides a safe meeting place for young people, particularly those experiencing poverty, family breakdown and who are at risk of becoming involved with antisocial behaviours. It has benefitted from a grant worth £48,770 to create an inviting space within its current building through a new lighting system and durable furniture. It has already resulted in an increase in new members and more young people coming to use the centre for study sessions, peer mentoring, one-to-one chats with youth workers, as well as wellbeing sessions.

Simple Norfolk CIO in Thetford, which provides services and volunteering opportunities to young people from low income families who are new to the UK, has also been granted funding worth £19,924 to fund new equipment for woodworking sessions that are helping to increase skills and employment opportunities.

Aptitude Organisation in Coventry, which aims to support children and young people facing mental ill-health to develop new skills, improve their mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour, has benefitted from a grant worth £18,046. This will be used for building improvement materials that have made the building a warmer and more welcoming space, alongside kitchen and gaming equipment. It is helping the young people to learn and develop new skills through meaningful activities.

Applications for funding were assessed by BBC Children in Need as an Intermediary Grant Maker.