Cumbria Youth Alliance has been awarded £1.4 million to help youngsters in West Cumbria tackle barriers to work and education.
The cash, from the Benny Walker Charitable Trust will launch its new five-year project for 15 to 18-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training and live in Cleator Moor, Frizington, Whitehaven, Workington or Egremont and the surrounding areas.
Teenagers can refer themselves or be referred by families, friends, school or other agencies. CYA say their consultations and insights have revealed a significant lack of help for young people in this situation.
The alliance hopes the Breaking Barriers project will plug a big gap in provision and help to tackle the greater numbers of young people with low level mental health, self-esteem, and those lacking personal goals and aspirations.
One of the first things the funding has been used for is a 16-seater minibus. It means young people can link up to and access crucial opportunities including volunteering, work placements, as well as attending appointments, activities and training.
The charity said transport, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, and not being able to rely on family and friends to provide lifts to venues and activities, is a big barrier for young people.
The charity added that a minibus is also a way of building up trust with their delivery worker, who supports youngsters for up to two years.
Claire Sands, of the alliance, said: “A young man coping with the death of a key family member, was struggling and disengaged.
“His key worker discovered he liked fishing. They used the minibus to go out fishing and over time he was able to talk about his situation, set some goals and he is now working to meet them. His delivery worker will continue to support him too.
“We also use the minibus to run the Duke of Edinburgh Award making it accessible to those who wouldn’t find it easy to get sessions. It’s a great way for a young person to improve self-belief and gain important life skills.
“There’s no doubt that this funding will make a big difference to young people in West Cumbria. It will increase the impact of our work, addressing barriers young people face in making a successful transition to adulthood and achieving their full potential. We’ve more exciting plans to announce next year as part of the Breaking Barriers’ project.”
