Youth groups and organisations across Warwickshire could benefit from grants after new scheme gets approval

Youth groups and organisations will be able to bid for grants up to £60,000 after Warwickshire County Council approved a scheme to target vulnerable children and young adults.

Funding has been approved for the next two years but it is hoped that this will be extended if the scheme proves successful.

Cllr Jeff Morgan (Con, Bulkington and Whitestone), the county council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, announced the extra cash at last week’s cabinet meeting on January 28.

He said: “There is no doubt around the county that youth services have struggled over the last decade or two but we are now in a position to do something about that.

“In this paper we are looking at £1.5m - £800,000 of which will be a fund to provide grants for community and voluntary bodies.

“We are looking to add more youth workers and creating a fund for community groups around the county to bid in for youth-targeted activities.”

Grants between £30,000 and £60,000 will be available and help will be offered from council officers to those organisations looking to tap into the funding.

Cllr Morgan added: “Our target is the 11 to 18 age-range, particularly those vulnerable and in danger of risky behaviour be that county lines, knife crime, alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancies etc - this is not ping pong in the church hall.

“This is a good scheme targeted at some of our most vulnerable young adults and is particularly appropriate in this our third national lockdown.”

It is expected that successful bidders will collaborate with the newly-former Youth Work Alliance in order to shape future support for young people in Warwickshire. A senior youth worker has also been appointed to form a vital link between the council and the youth work voluntary sector.

Cllr Pam Williams (Con, Warwick North) backed the extra funding. She told the meeting: “I think it is important that we support our young people particularly coming out of this pandemic and particularly this age group who I think will be adversely affected.”