City youth services handed extra £72k

Young people growing up in a city could be helped by an extra £723,000 in government cash, it has been confirmed.

Peterborough City Council said it was one of 12 areas in the UK to share £8m as part of a scheme to help offer young people more opportunities where they live.

News of the funding was revealed in August, but more details of the sums and how the Local Youth Transformation Pilot might work have now been released.

Katy Cole, the authority's cabinet member for children's services, said the investment shows "the government shares our thorough commitment to supporting young people".

"Our youth offer will reflect the changing needs of young people, enabling them to develop new skills for life and work," the Labour councillor added.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the funding would be spent in areas where young people were less likely to take part in activities - such as music and sport - outside of school.

In Peterborough, the pilot will see a youth summit being held to shape the future of relevant services, and plans were being drawn up to hold training and workshops with local employers.

Funding will also be given to established community and grassroots projects, while a youth bus could host pop-up sessions in rural areas and a new website, with content from young people, is also due to be launched.

The council said its officers had been working with the National Youth Agency to find out where the money should be spent.

It added that any local businesses, community groups and organisations wanting to be involved should get in touch.

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