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Redditch YMCA
Funding
Background
On this page:
Aiming High
for Young People
In July 2007, the Government published its plans to
help all young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to
take part in enjoyable and purposeful activities in their free time. 'Aiming
High for Young People: A ten year strategy for positive activities' was
developed in response to evidence that participation could help the
development of social and emotional skills, and to address a clear demand
from young people for greater access to activities. Designed to develop new
skills and raise aspirations, the strategy aims to ensure that young people:
- are empowered to have a say in the creation of services and in local
funding decisions;
- can easily find out about local things to do and places to go, and
are motivated to use the new and improved activities and facilities on
offer;
- have access to services of an excellent quality, delivered by a
diverse and professional workforce who are valued and supported to
develop the skills to make a difference for young people.
Delivery of this strategy, as well as the wider
programme of reforms to services and support for young people, requires the
ongoing commitment of Local Authorities, together with a full range of local
partners, including the third and private sectors, parents and young people
themselves. At national level, its implementation is being led by the
Department for Children, Schools and Families, providing strong and
strategic leadership across Government to improve youth outcomes.
myplace
myplace, administered by The Big Lottery Fund, is
kick-starting this process by delivering £272m of Government capital
investment (not Lottery funding) over three years. through grants of between
£1m and £5m.
myplace is driving a major change in the level of
ambition across the country and a transformation in the way facilities for
young people are planned and delivered – particularly with regard to
the role and influence of young people and the level of genuine cross-sector
partnership working.
The aim of myplace is to deliver world class youth facilities driven by the
active participation of young people and their views and needs. Round 1 of
myplace funding opened to applications in May 2008 and made £240m of grants
to 62 projects in England. Round 2 will invest up to £31.6m of additional
Government capital funding through grants of between £1m and £5m. There are
currently no plans for any further funding rounds.
Applicants will need to demonstrate how their project will lead to:
- more young people, parents and communities feeling that young people
have attractive and safe places to go in their leisure time where they
can get involved in a wide range of exciting activities;
- more young people, particularly the most disadvantaged,
participating in positive leisure time activities that support their
personal and social development;
- more young people having access to information, advice and support
services from within places they feel comfortable; and
- stronger partnership working between Local Authorities and their
third, private and public sector partners to plan, deliver and operate
financially sustainable facilities with and for young people.
myplace will only fund projects that will deliver
all four of these outcomes and demonstrate evidence of the real
participation of young people, particularly disadvantaged young people, in
the development, design and future running of the project.
Round 2 Funding
The deadline for expressions of interest was 29
June 2009. Round 2 has proved to be very popular, with demand for funding by
projects exceeding £480 million. The available budget can only fund 10
projects, and out of the range of initial applications, only 40 projects
have been short-listed and invited to submit a full application by 30
September 2009.
Investment decisions will be announced by the end
of December 2009.
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