£700,000 youth funding axed

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GROUNDWORK’S popular Prince’s Trust scheme, which aims to help hundreds of young Oldhamers a year into work, has lost its annual £700,000 funding and up to 21 staff are at risk of redundancy.

After 17 years of boosting the confidence and experience of 16 to 25-year-olds through the 13-week scheme, Groundwork has been stunned at the loss of its entire Prince’s Trust funding.

The Prince’s Trust programme is run from team bases across Greater Manchester and the regional HQ in Shaw Road, Oldham.

Vicki Devonport, executive director of Groundwork, issued an appeal to local organisations for help: “The news came as a massive shock. That funding has been one of the foundation blocks for us in Oldham and Rochdale. There will be funding available, but it might not be for some months. It is about bridging the gap now.

“We need to find and work with local partners who could help us deliver our service until funding is in place.”

The £700,000 from the Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency, which has arrived every year for 17 years was due in September. When the charity discovered this year’s loss, staff were told some could face redundancy.

Ms Devonport added: “21 members of staff have been informed they are at risk of redundancy. We have some fantastically talented staff but if we don’t have funding it is impossible to pay them.”

The Prince’s Trust scheme offers 16 to 25-year-olds work experience, qualifications and practical skills with an overall goal to boost confidence and open the door to work or further training. It also offers young people the opportunity to get work on environmental and community projects. Up to 300 young people in Oldham are involved each year.

If your organisations is interested in supporting Prince’s Trust schemes, contact Groundwork on 0161 624 1444.

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