20/07/10

By Andrew Holt

Youth in Focus, a new £30 million England-wide funding programme launched today by the Big Lottery Fund, will provide support for young carers as well as other vulnerable groups – young people leaving youth offending institutions and young people leaving care.

The funding initiative will support projects that give young people a voice and help them to access the advice and services that can support their day-to-day lives.

There are currently 175,000 known young carers across the UK who look after a family member or loved one suffering from physical or mental illness, though it is thought there are thousands more hidden young carers.

As well as directly caring for their relative, young carers are often also responsible for day-to-day chores from cleaning to food shopping.

Sanjay Dighe, chair of BIG’s England Committee, said: “The funding we’re announcing today will help thousands of young people across England who are experiencing some very difficult circumstances and lack the normal support from families and friends that other young people receive.

"We want to fund projects that will offer support, improve these young people’s self-confidence and offer practical solutions for the challenges they face. We want our funding to help these young people make positive life transitions, helping them to lead active and fulfilling lives.”

The programme also aims to support young people leaving care between the ages of 15 and 25, so they get better access to education, housing, healthcare and employment advice and services.

Young people leaving youth offenders institutions between the ages of 15 and 25 will also be supported to develop their life skills and get better access to services, particularly young men with learning difficulties and young women.

Organisations interested in applying for Youth in Focus funding should visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_youth_focus for more information and to register to attend one of our regional briefing events being held throughout September.

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