‘Amazed’ youth charity gets £480k funds boost
ACHARITY which has helped thousands of young people turn away from crime has been given a £480,000 funding boost.
Ynot Aspire, based in Accrington, provides activities, support and opportunities to all young people in the borough and also help ‘sofa-surfing’ homeless youngsters to get back on their feet.
They have now been awarded £480,128 from The Big Lottery to continue their work for another five years.
Sharon Burch, chief officer at Ynot Aspire, said they have been “absolutely blown away” with the results they have enjoyed since being founded in 2011.
This includes slashing the numbers of young people out of education and also getting involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.
Sharon said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a further five years of funding from The Big Lottery.
“Thank you to all of our staff, volunteers, partners and most importantly the young people we’ve worked with for helping to make the project such a great success.
“We couldn’t do the work we do without input from a wide range of people and the local community.”
Figures produced by Ynot Aspire show that since it was founded they have contributed to a 22 per cent reduction in young people not in education, training or employment, a 30 per cent cut in youth related anti-social behaviour, and a 74 per cent drop in young people becoming involved in crime.
Sharon added: “We said we would aim for a five per cent reduction in first time entrants to the criminal justice system and at the end of five years we’ve achieved a 74 per cent reduction.
“That’s part of all the fantastic multi-agency ALTHAM St James Church will hold its annual Christmas fair at the Arthur Wilson Centre in Clayton-leMoors.
It will take place on Saturday, November 19, between 9am and 12noon and include a selection of toys, books, jewellery, toiletries, home baking and bric-abrac. There will also be a tombola and “Guess the weight of the Christmas Cake” contest.
Rev Toby Webber said: “This is always a superb event with some real bargains to be had”.