Young people celebrate Youth Fund success

Young people from across the county gathered in Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters last night to celebrate their achievements with Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite, and the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Sir David Arculus.

The groups were invited to meet the Commissioner as recipients of his Youth Fund, which has seen £27,000 awarded over the past year.

Now in its 3rd year, and managed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, the Youth Fund was set up in 2014 to help young people engage in positive activities. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to charities and community groups.

East Cambridgeshire Youth Consultation Panel, The Froglife Trust, and Right Resolution CIC have all been awarded funding from the Commissioner’s Youth Fund in the latest round.

East Cambs Youth Consultation Panel receive £1,754 towards equipment to support a social media project, The Froglife Trust in Peterborough get £2,000 to run a scheme that encourages young people to take part in conservation activities; and £2,000 goes to Right Resolution CIC, to help care-leavers move into education, training or employment.

Jane Darlington, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Community Foundation said:

“The young people here tonight should be very proud of what they have achieved. Groups like this make a real difference to their communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite added:

“I was thrilled to see so many young people here last night. I was told that, after receiving funding from my Youth Fund, one charity went on to attract money from Children in Need. It is heart-warming to see how a small amount of money can make such a significant difference and lead to more young people benefitting from the charities. ”

A host of diversionary projects have benefitted from the fund since its launch, including Peterborough Bangladesh Welfare Association UK who received funding to run regular sports training sessions for disadvantaged young people and Ramsey Neighbourhood who used the funding to enable youth group members to run projects building links with other community groups.

A new round of funding will be launched in April with a focus on encouraging young people to get involved in volunteering and social action. If you are planning such a project, or are part of a local group that supports or engages with young people in Cambridgeshire, check the websites of Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (www.cambscf.org.uk) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (www.cambs-pcc.org.uk) at the start of April to look for details.