At risk young people to be given slice of Lottery funding

Young people at risk of being caught up in gang violence, young runaways and young dads are among those to be given a share of £4m Big Lottery funding.

As part of the Reaching Communities programme, grants have gone to 15 projects that help marginalised young people.

Some of the funds will go towards programmes that help reduce gang violence in Leeds, the Midlands and London.

The Phase Trust has received around £224,000 to offer young people in Halesowen and Dudley, who are attracted to gang culture, an alternative life and raise their aspirations.

Leeds-based Hamara Healthy Living Centre, says it will use its grant of £252,000 to offer a range of activities and workshops for young people to racial tension and racially motivated incidents between gangs. The project will train community members to deliver conflict resolution workshops to young people aged 14 to 19 identified as either belonging to, or at risk of being influenced by racist gangs.

Recipients of the grants are:

• KidsOut UK, Stories Go Global
• Youth Empowerment Solutions, Taking A Chance on Change
• Contact a Family, Lewisham's Parent Engagement and Support Project
• The Annie Macpherson Home of Industry,The Gap Project
• Children's Society, Youth and Community at Risk
• Westminster House Youth Club,Leaders for Life
• Alnwick Young People's Association, Gallery Youth Project
• Tees Valley YMCA, Options
• East Cheshire Advocacy Young People's Advocacy
• Children's Society Right to Hope
• Hothfield Parish Council Hothfield Youth Project
• BYHP Supporting Young People In Housing Need,Unlocking potential
• Phase Trust, Shape
• Children's Society,Strong Voices - Strong Lives
• Hamara Healthy Living Centre,Tackling racial gang violence

To find out more visit the BIG Lottery Fund website.