£3.2m Lottery Funding To Support NI's Isolated Young People

A project to improve the opportunities of young offenders, young people in care and NEETS in Northern Ireland has been awarded a major grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The Prince's Trust is one of seven Northern Ireland organisations that have been awarded grants totalling over £3,200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Out: Empowering Young People programme, which supports young people most at risk in Northern Ireland, including those who have been disengaged from education, involved in crime or in care.

The trust has been awarded £484,319 to run training and mentoring courses to improve the self esteem, confidence, education and job opportunities of young people in east and north Belfast, Craigavon and Newry who have been involved in crime, are leaving care or are not involved in education.

"The young people we will work with are dealing with a range of issues such as a lack of qualifications, low self-esteem and confidence, little motivation or aspirations and a lack of positive role models or support in their lives," said Mark Dougan, Head of Public Sector Partnerships. "As a result it's more likely that they will feel isolated from their own communities and believe that no one cares, which can lead to anti-social behaviour, drug taking and crime.

"We're running the project in the chosen areas because they have high levels of isolated and vulnerable young people who need our support. This is about inspiring them to take the next step and get into training or find a job. As well as practical course related activities such as drama and music, sport, film and animation, the young people will explore issues affecting their lives such as drugs and alcohol, sexual health and emotional well-being.

"If we can get in early with these young people we really can make a difference to them and give them the skills and opportunities to turn their lives around."

YMCA Lisburn has also been awarded £498,700 to give young people who have been involved in crime and anti-social behaviour or are not involved in education the opportunity to plan, develop, manage and maintain a large allotment site in the Whitemountain area of Lisburn.

As well as working on the allotment, the young people will also get the chance to take part in a range of courses to improve their confidence, education and job opportunities including horticulture, leadership and budgeting, and practical skills such as organising tools and equipment, lawn mowing and making flower beds and baskets.

(CD)