Brackley Youth Hub receives £19,000 after grant from South Northamptonshire Council

Back row left to right, Adam Carmody, Hub Youth Coordinator, SNCs Councillor Peter Rawlinson, the Hubs Head Volunteer Theo Hayward. Front row Kie Lodge, Charlie Bishop, Oliver Taylor, Finn Silman and Tia Fazackerley

Run by volunteers and the YMCA Northamptonshire, The Youth Hub provides a safe haven for young people aged between 11 and 20 where they can socialise, develop their learning, and access local support services.

Over the last two years attendance at the Hub has grown by 300 per cent each year, and with more homes on the way demand is expected to grow.

Money for the Community Grant comes via the New Homes Bonus, money paid by developers to mitigate the impact of new homes.

The Hub in High Street, Brackley, is a dedicated space for young people, is equipped with games consoles, a pool table, has a snack bar and is free to access.

Among other things, it is hoped the Community Grant will help expand the number of sessions, develop a programme of holiday camps and increase the number of one-off themed sessions on topics such as music, art and health awareness.

Councillor Peter Rawlinson, SNC’s portfolio holder for finance and procurement said: “The Hub’s motto is ‘for young people, by young people’ and it is an important means by which young people are empowered to make decisions for themselves.

“With more new homes on the way it is more important than ever that we use the benefits of housing expansion to grow services like this one.”

The Hub’s youth co-ordinator, Adam Carmody said: “We are absolutely delighted to have had such a successful year working with over 300 young people per week to have received this vote of confidence from SNC, enabling us to continue with our services which are clearly appreciated by the young people and confirmed by the number that attend our sessions each week.”

The next SNC Grants Panel meeting will be held in January 2016 and the deadline for applications for this meeting is Monday, 30 November 2015.

For more information on what type of grants are available from SNC and how to apply for them visit the Community Grants page of our website (www.southnorthants.gov.uk/grantscommunity.htm) or contact the SNC Grants Officer Katie Arnold on 01327 322216 or via [email protected].

To browse the projects that have already received grants, visit http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/2652.htm, which includes an interactive map detailing previous grants.