Charity helping youngsters receives £ 30k cash boost

A charitable e n t e r p r i s e aimed at helping young people experiencing disadvantage has been awarded a major funding boost.

In the final round of Curiosity – a joint funding programme by BBC Children in Need and Wellcome - Cumnock project Yipworld has been awarded a three- year grant of £ 29,438.

The money will be used to enable young people experiencing disadvantage locally to take part in science activities that will look to develop their skills and build their confidence.

Yipworld will use the three- year grant to deliver an expanded weekly STEM club for children and young people.

Janice Hendry, chief executive at Yipworld, said: “It’s a great boost because we are keen to introduce people to STEM sessions outwith school and in their own time that’s enjoyable and fun.

“And the funding has enabled us to expand our STEM sessions from one to two- as we have around 60 kids coming along- and they love it.”

At the weekly club the children will be able to enjoy practical and hands on experiments that will challenge, engage and enable them to develop new knowledge and skills whilst raising their aspirations for the future.

Simon Antrobus, chief executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “We are delighted to be awarding funding to projects like Yipworld through our Curiosity programme.

“Our first round of funding showed us that science can be fun and engaging for disadvantaged children and young people, but most importantly, can make a positive difference to their lives.”

This final round of Curiosity funding has seen a total of 25 projects awarded across the UK, to the value of £ 1,676,947.

The programme aims to support young people to build their confidence and self- esteem, develop life skills and expand their horizons by changing how much science they do and how they do it.

Projects encourage young people to be curious about themselves and the world around them.

Dr Anita Krishnamurthi, head of education and learning at Wellcome, added: “In a science- dependent world, it is essential that young people see science as a vital tool they can use in their lives – and do not face barriers to engage with it.”

BBC Children in Need currently funds 10 projects in East Ayrshire to a value of more than £ 573,000.

Problem solvers These children are gaining knowledge in how to overcome obstacles

Fun The STEM subjects are delivered to the local children who attend Yipworld in a fun and interesting way

Amazed These children look on in wonderment as they witness a result of one of the science experiments