Plan for young people to make a difference

OLDHAM’S young citizens are being encouraged to apply for funding to help improve their lives and the areas they live in.

Cash is available to all 13 to 19 year olds — or up to 25-year-old if they have additional needs — with the aim of increasing opportunities and creating positive activities across the borough.

The Kerrching, also known as a youth opportunity fund, is a Government scheme with money available until the end of the financial year. It’s managed by Oldham Youth Council, who allocate the funds.

It’s the fifth year the fund has been operating in Oldham and already more than 21,000 young people have benefited.

The fund has been hailed for improving facilities, enabling young people to decide what they want in their area, empowering them to be heard within the community and recognising their efforts. It also helps them develop and gain new skills.

The Youth Council has split the funding into two pots: one for activities that benefit the local area, with £7,500 available, and another for activities which involve young people from across the many diverse communities of Oldham, with £15,000 available.

Councillor Jack Hulme, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “The Kerrching programme has had a tremendous impact in Oldham over the past few years, and because young people play a leading part in deciding how and where the money is spent this has contributed to its success.

“We encourage young people to apply for funding. If you have an idea, why not speak to the adults who you work with and send in an application.

“This fund can make these ideas a reality but remember we are looking for projects that show they make a positive difference.”

Applications are welcomed for activities or projects which demonstrate how they will positively address issues such as improving the emotional and mental health of young people, reducing obesity, encouraging an active lifestyle, reducing involvement in risk taking behaviour such as alcohol, drug misuse or unsafe sexual relationships, tackling bullying, diverting young people from involvement in offending behaviour and providing positive activities on Friday and Saturday nights.

Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate they address these issues.

Any group which has three or more members who live in Oldham can apply. Young people must lead applications, but these can be supported by an organisation which may assist the activity and accept the monies on their behalf, if they have not been constituted.

To apply fill in an application form, available from Jodie Barber or Pamela Sleigh on 0161 770 3116 or email Jodie.barber@oldham.gov.uk , and return it before the deadline of October 13 at 5pm.