A community youth network which provides vital support to young people in Stockport has been awarded significant funding of £275,000.
The money – which includes £255,000 National Lottery Funding and a further £20,000 from the Ministry of Justice Youth Sports Fund – will contribute towards detached youth provision provided by Life Leisure and partners through the R Time partnership, which aims to keep young people engaged in activity, help improve physical and mental well-being and create employment opportunities for youth work.
Ian Dixon Head of Operations at Life Leisure said: “We are over the moon to receive this investment which will enable us to continue to provide vital services to young people in the area, particularly those who are vulnerable and benefit from structured and supportive programmes.
“The R Time project has been running for three years and every year we see what a massive impact it has on the lives of our young people. Our sessions provide them with both something to look forward to and a place of safety. For some youngsters it has been enough to keep them from going down the wrong path, while others have decided to train with us to become youth workers themselves.”
The National Lottery Community Fund – which will fund the service for a further three years – was provided as part of a joint application by Life Leisure, Stockport Homes Group and the Targeted Youth Justice Service, which has formed a partnership to develop an integrated Youth Network of community groups across Stockport.
Councillor Grace Baynham, cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services, said: “We are thrilled to see further investment funding brought into Stockport to provide vital provision and services for young people. R Time Stockport will continue to be important in creating opportunities for young people to participate in activity and engage with the youth workers, along with creating a new pathway into becoming a youth worker, so we are pleased that this can continue to develop over the next three years.”
The money from the Ministry of Justice Youth Sports Fund, which has been awarded to Life Leisure’s Street Games initiative, will be used to engage with and support young people aged 10 to 17 who are at risk of involvement in crime, anti-social behaviour, and serious violence, with sessions such as boxing, football, dodgeball and table tennis taking place across a number of Life Leisure’s centres.
Alongside the physical activities, Life Leisure staff will also be supporting young people with 1-2-1 mentoring and support, access to food, clothing and equipment during the sessions, and guidance to find the right clubs for their needs.
