New support project to help vulnerable young people

BE Project for vulnerable young people injects £450,000 into music & media.

Friday 23rd April 2010

A Big Lottery Fund grant, to the tune of £450,000, has been awarded to Future Projects, as an aid for vulnerable young people from the local area .

The Be Project, a new initiative launched today at The Garage, will see 13-19-year olds two large-scale music & media projects each year. The initiative comes as a drive for the support of todays local youth, and aims to give increased confidence, life issue support and skill development to those in need.

As the first of this years projects, the launch saw performances from local talent, including young bands and singers. The event, whcih utilised catering services, public relatons and general event organisation, and was arranged over a six-week period, was staged entirely by the young people themselves.

Will Wilson, programme co-ordinator, spoke of the initiative:

“We will be putting 20 hard-to-reach young people through the programme this year, and that number will increase in the coming years - we always want more people to get involved.

“We've had great feedback so far. I'm hoping it will give them skills in music and media which they can take forward in life. “Everyone has a creative side and this is helping them to explore it.”

Future Radio are also involved - their new youth magazine radio show, Your Voice, will intergrate the project and broadcast its results. It will feature relevant interviews, give details of support structures and contact details, and air media created.

The young people involved will also have the opportunity to access Future Projects Baseline service, where they will be party to employment services, sexual health issues, benefits and legal advice.