In July 2005 Blackpool was awarded approximately £320,000 by central Government. The aim of the money is to improve the provision of positive activities for young people aged 13-19, particularly for those who are disadvantaged.
This will be achieved by providing more places to go and things to do for young people in Blackpool.
In Blackpool we have put the control of both the Youth Capital Fund (YCF) and the Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) in the hands of trained young people.
A Youth Opportunity Panel (YOP) of 17 young people meet on a monthly basis to decide on YCF & YOF grant applications.
Both the YCF and the YOF only last for two years. In Blackpool we have £66,000 for YCF and £97,000 for YOF. This is the budget each year for two years.
The aim of YCF is to enhance existing provision or establish new youth provision for young people in Blackpool. The three areas this fund covers are:
- Building maintenance – this can be from decorating current provision, to developing a new area that young people need and want
- IT Equipment – this can be from developing an IT Suite to buying a one off laptop for a group.
- Mobile provision – this can be from enhancing a current youth bus to buying equipment for work with young people in parks or on the streets.
Amount available £1 - £66,000 (Overall grant)
The aim of YOF is to involve young people, especially hard to reach young people, in identifying positive activities and things to do, as well as supporting their role as decision makers and project leaders.
In Blackpool we have two sections to this fund and four areas that the fund covers.
Sections:
Individual grants – this is for young people applying on their own behalf.
Amount available £1 - £1500 (Individual grant)
Group grants – this is for young people applying on behalf of groups that work with other young people. This can be a group of young people connected to a school, youth centre, voluntary group, community group, sports team or even a new group.
Amount available £1 - £20,000 (Group grants)
Areas:
Sporting – this can be anything from buying sport equipment, coaching or even visiting a sporting event.
Cultural – this can be from exploring your own cultural identity to exploring another culture through an exchange.
Recreational – this can be part of a rewards and incentive scheme to enhance young people’s social interaction.
Volunteering – this can be from starting a volunteer programme to encouraging a group to volunteer abroad.
Important information
- Ensure you have read the guidance notes and understand them
- Ensure you have read the application form information sheet
- If you have any questions contact Stuart
- Ensure you address at least one of the five criteria
- Application forms must be completed by a young person aged 13-19 or up to 24 with learning needs
- Answer all the questions on the application form.
- Take a photocopy before sending it in.