Lotto cash proves winner for Oldham

OLDHAM has scooped nearly £1 million prevent young people being lured by drugs, crime, racism and extremism.

Four groups will share the money from the Big Lottery Fund which will also help young people through the recession by developing their skills and self-confidence.

The biggest chunk of £361,389 went to the acclaimed Peacemaker project to run community cohesion activities for 13 to 25 years-olds.

This will include after-school projects, helping the transition from primary to secondary school and targeting those at risk of committing racially-motivated crime or being attracted by radicalism and extremism.

Oak Community Development based at Borough Mill will receive £233,000 to continue its Respect programme to tackle drugs, anti-social behaviour and gangs. This will range from residential trips to meeting ex-offenders.

The Vision youth project also gets £169,297 to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and drug abuse through youth clubs, school holiday activities and Christmas trips.

Oldham Coliseum’s vision to get young people involved in its work benefits from £204,629 to fund four projects over the next three years.

Young people will create theatre using new technology as well as taking part in training schemes to develop their skills.

Executive director Liz Wilson said: “We are extremely pleased and it is very exciting news for us. It is all about a big organisational change for the Coliseum. We want young people to be more involved in leading our development and offer opportunities for them at the theatre.

“The Coliseum has a reputation for serving probably an older audience and we just think it is so important to do both jobs.

“We will continue to produce good quality theatre for a more mainstream audience, but also represent something different to young people who look to use to realise their creative potential.”