Young people's projects celebrate cash investment

5.59.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Jul 2007

Teenagers from projects that received over £160,000 in grants from Richmond Council and the Youth Opportunities Fund will gather at a celebration event in Twickenham on Sunday, 15 July.

The youngsters aged between 13 and 19 are involved in more than 30 projects that received cash under the Pounds 4 Young People Programme. In the past year it has given grants to a range of projects including dance sessions at the traveller site in Hampton, weekend activities for disabled children and a homework club at Castelnau Youth Centre. A panel of young people worked with Council officers to decide which bids were successful and how the money was spent. They will come together at the Harlequins Rugby Ground on Sunday afternoon to enjoy an afternoon of live bands, DJs and dancing.

Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure, said:??" The Council is determined to improve opportunities for teenagers, to provide them with more choice and give them a real chance to help shape the services they receive and the activities that are provided for them. This excellent initiative means that funds have been spent exactly where the young people most want them. It has helped teenagers strengthen their community as well as develop their skills as leaders, project managers and team members. With full training and support from Council officers the youngsters have ensured funding has gone on projects in which they have a genuine interest. We look forward to working with even more groups in the future to boost opportunities for young people in the borough."