Home | Media | News | Youth projects in Merseyside receive bumper donation

Youth projects in Merseyside receive bumper donation

Youngsters in Merseyside will benefit from improved facilities to keep them safe and off the streets thanks to a £5,000 funding boost from one of the country's leading regeneration specialists.

The Keepmoat Foundation awarded the grant to the Community Foundation for Merseyside through its operating companies Bramall Construction and Keepmoat Homes North West.

The funding has been divided between The Association of Stockbridge Village at Denecliffe in Stockbridge Village and Croxteth Counselling and Support Services in Moss Way, Croxteth.

The Association of Stockbridge Village delivers projects that divert young people into positive activities while Croxteth Counselling and Support Service provides drop-in support services for young people aged between 13 - 19 who are at risk of crime, or getting involved in crime.

Bramall Construction chose to support both youth projects as the company has been assisting Cobalt Housing with its £60 million Investment Programme across Liverpool since 2005.

Steve Howe, Executive Advisor for the Keepmoat Foundation, said: "The Community Foundation for Merseyside is a very worthwhile project which offers a wide variety of positive activities for young people, which will set them in good stead for the rest of their lives. The Keepmoat Foundation was set up to provide educational opportunities for young people and we're looking forward to witnessing the benefits of the funding at both youth projects in the months to come."

As part of its support services, the Association of Stockbridge Village runs a national KICKZ football programme twice a week to engage young people in constructive activities through a shared love of football.

With the £2,500 funding provided by the Keepmoat Foundation, the Association of Stockbridge Village has drafted in the police to engage with youngsters through the KICKZ programme.

The project will also enable the police to work in partnership with youth workers on different workshops aimed at raising awareness about the consequences of crime.

In addition, the Croxteth Counselling and Support Service plans to use the funding to expand its support services for vulnerable young people with regular sessions held on both a group and individual basis.

A part time development worker will be on hand at the drop in centre to work with local schools and youth clubs. Youngsters will also be referred to the drop in centre by local youth workers, schools, health professionals and community organisations.

The project aims to help young people achieve their potential by improving their self-confidence and encouraging them to take part in community activities.

Jack Miller, Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager, said: "We are thrilled to have received this funding from the Keepmoat Foundation and the money is already making a real difference to young people's lives.

"Croxteth is an area with a number of problems and so the drop in centre provides a really good opportunity for young people to come in and talk about their lives.

"Stockbridge village has also been affected by knife crime in the past so we work very hard to encourage young people to adopt a more positive outlook on their lives through education."

Bramall's Construction Director, Steve Parrington, said: "Bramall Construction is delighted to team up with the Keepmoat Foundation in support of these projects and as a company we work hard to support the communities in which we work wherever we can."

Over the last year, the Keepmoat Foundation has donated £50,000 to good causes and has benefited 5,000 people through projects ranging from sports to the arts, the environment, education and training.