Youth forum hands out cash (From The Northern Echo)

Youth forum hands out cash

5:18pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Crook & Weardale News By Duncan Leatherdale

FOOTBALL, theatrics and a project aimed at bringing young and old people together have received funding from a grant run by youths.

The Three Towns Youth Forum has decided to give money to five groups across the three towns area, which covers Crook, Tow Law and Willington, along with surrounding villages.

The £5,500 fund is provided by the Three Towns Area Action Partnership with applications decided upon by teenage members of the forum.

Youth groups can apply for grants of up to £500 to fund projects aimed at entertaining or informing youngsters.

In the latest round of funding, Parkside Community Association, in Willington, received £500 to provide a football course during the school summer holidays in conjunction with Willington Youth Football Club.

The sport also got a £500 boost in Tow Law where the town's junior football club will use the money to set up a new team.

North Bitchburn Youth Group received £160 to help fund a trip to a pantomime, while Crook-based Jackass Youth Theatre was given £450 to fund a residential retreat in Weardale for young actors after a short tour of their latest performance, called Fair and Tender.

And Tow Law Millennium School received £187.50 for its inter-generational project which is aimed at breaking down the barriers between young people and elderly residents.

Young members of the youth forum said all of the projects appealed to them and would benefit young people across the area.

Alisha Oakden, a member of the youth forum, said: "What's special about this fund is that it is us, the young people, who get to decide which projects to support.

"It's really good and important that our views are considered because while adults may mean well, they may not think we need the things that we actually do."

This is the second year the grant has been run.

Robert Fothergill, participation worker at 2D, who helps run the forum, said: "It is great that young people are funding other people.

"Having the decision devolved to them empowers the youngsters and engages them with local groups and issues."