Funding is still there for those late bids (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Funding is still there for those late bids

Teen support group Connexions still has £100,000 available for projects working with vulnerable young people but the deadline for bids is approaching fast.

Connexions Wiltshire and Swindon is urging eligible voluntary and community groups to apply for Connexions voluntary contracts and awards before the deadline of midnight tomorrow.

The group will have to show how their project can help to reduce the proportion of 16-18 year olds who are not in employment, education and training, or to increase the proportion of 13-19 year olds taking part in learning.

Projects could also help to provide better lives for vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers, teenage parents, lesbian, gay or bisexual young people, through to those with special educational needs.

Awards have previously been given to a wide range of voluntary and community sector projects, including youth mentoring, youth counselling, holiday activity schemes, outdoor activities, learning support, schemes tackling substance misuse, self esteem projects, and media activities.

Bids will be considered by a multi agency awards panel, including representatives from Connexions, the Wiltshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services, Swindon Youth Partnership, and Local Connexions Forums.

Awards of up to £2,500 are available for smaller projects while voluntary sector contracts may be awarded up to £20,000.

Contracts will run from April 1 2005 to 31 March 2006. Anyone wanting an application form and further information about the criteria can contact Voluntary Sector Development Worker Sarah White on 07931 137353 or email sarahw@connexionsws.org.uk.