CHILDREN in Teesdale are deciding how to spend £20,000 after a scheme was set up to help young people in the area develop new and innovative projects.

The Small Grants Scheme for Children and Young People was created by the Teesdale Area Action Partnership (TAP), in September.

A panel of 11 youngsters, aged ten to 17, has now been created which, with the support of youth workers from Teesdale YMCA and TAP staff, decide how the fund should be split between different groups.

Applications can be made by any not-for-profit group but project ideas must come from young people and aim to benefit youngsters in Teesdale.

Panel members then meet to consider each application which can apply for anything from £200 to £1,000.

To date, more than 25 application packs have been requested and £5,566 awarded.

Three full awards and one part award were accepted in the first panel meeting, in October, which included, the Middleton Table Tennis Club junior section, who were awarded £525 for a competition standard table and the Bowes Pre-school, who received £420 to purchase outdoor exercise/play equipment.

The Teesdale School Radio were also supported with £555 to pay for professional training sessions and Middleton and Teesdale Silver Band Junior Section received £660 for one year of music tuition, teaching materials and room rental for band practice.

The second panel meeting, held at the beginning of December, considered five applications with the panel making three full awards, one part award and requested one submission to be altered.

Grants awarded included £600 for the Teesdale Sailing Club towards the cost of junior boat trolleys, the Toft Hill and Etherley CA Recreation Park, which received £960 to pay for a replacement birds nest swing and Eggleston Youth Café, who received £970 for a projector, activity costs and running costs.

The Cream Tees junior folk music group also received £876 towards music tuition and room hire.

Teesdale YMCA centre manager, Lianne Steed, said: “The young people have shown a great understanding and commitment to this scheme, they are passionate about supporting young people to make a real different within Teesdale.

“The panel members are also developing some fantastic transferable skills such as team work, decision making and budget management, as well as an increased awareness of how, through positive work, they can support young people to enhance the well-being of their communities.”

To join the panel or make an application call Ms Steed on 01833-695780, the TAP team on 03000-260816 or email tap@durham.gov.uk