A three-year programme helping young people across Stockport get involved, try new things and have their say is set to receive almost £300,000 of National Lottery funding.
Life Leisure, working alongside Sector 3 and Stockport Council, has successfully secured funding through The National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.
The funding will support the next three years of the R Time Network, a network of youth providers across the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector that offers activities, youth work and support directly in local areas across Stockport.
The investment recognises the work of youth providers across Stockport and will help them continue creating opportunities, support and positive experiences for young people in their communities.
The news comes as Stockport celebrates National Youth Work Week, which runs from 2nd – 8th November. This year’s theme, ‘Where Futures Begin’, recognises the people, places and opportunities that help young people to grow, belong and thrive – work that is at the heart of R Time.
As part of the week, the R Time Network will hold a celebration at Stockroom on Friday 6th November, from 3.30pm – 6.30pm. Young people can meet local organisations, take part in activities and find out about the support and opportunities available across Stockport.
Just as importantly, young people are encouraged to shape what happens next, helping the partnership to co-produce a Stockport Youth Offer and influence the development of activities and services available in their area. Through the lottery-funded programme, R Time will create opportunities for young people to develop their skills and confidence through a youth shadow board. This board will feed directly into the Stockport Youth Advisory Board, helping to hold decision-makers to account and ensuring young people’s views are heard and meaningfully reflected in decisions that affect them.
The new funding means the partnership can build on this work over the next three years, reaching more young people and developing a wider range of activities and support based on what they tell us they need.
Councillor Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education at Stockport Council, said: “It is fantastic that this funding will create more opportunities for young people across Stockport to get involved, try new activities and help shape what is available in their local area.
“Supporting young people is something we do best by working together. By combining the knowledge and experience of Life Leisure, Sector 3, the council and local youth organisations, this funding will help R Time reach more young people, bring more free activities and support into communities, and ensure young people’s voices remain at the heart of the programme.”
Sasha Moore, Community Activation Officer, Life Leisure, said: “What makes R Time different is that it starts with young people. We go out into local areas, to the local grounds, listen to what they want and create our priorities around that, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
“This funding will help us to support the people delivering youth provision, on the ground, grassroots up. From upskilling volunteers and staff across these organisations and keeping essential training available to helping organisations access funding and develop partnerships. By bringing different youth organisations together, we can share knowledge, identify gaps and work collaboratively to improve provision across Stockport.”
