£620,000 of funding allocated to youth services across Newcastle.

The ongoing success of the Newcastle Youth Fund, managed by Newcastle City Council and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, has allocated funding to 23 successful applicants to deliver youth services for the city’s young people. 

The projects will run from January 2024 until March 2025 with successful projects including an open access Young People’s allotment project in Lemington, an environmental Youth project in Fawdon, a Youth music project that supports LGBTQ young people in a Byker and an Employability project for SEND young people in Ouseburn. All projects are offering activities to support young people with their mental health, education, life skills and personal development. 

Thomas from Lemington, who attends sessions at the Charlton Street Hub said: “These sessions help us out a lot. They keep us off the streets and help us become better as people. We enjoy our time here, it’s perfect for us because there is always something to do and we are never bored.”

The aim of The Newcastle Youth Fund is to support a diverse range of provision in neighbourhoods across the city for 13-19 year olds – and up to 25 with special educational needs (SEND).

Young people are central to the design of The Newcastle Youth Fund and have had a key role in decision making – ensuring young people have a direct say in the activities and services that make a difference in their localities and neighbourhoods.  

The successful projects support activities that engage and inspire young people, support their emotional health and physical wellbeing and build community resilience.  Activities also reduce risk taking behaviours – such as anti-social behaviour, create friendships and social connections – and are educational and inclusive. 

Councillor Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for a Growing City, Newcastle City Council said: 

“Our Youth Fund was introduced to help voluntary and community organisations to positively engage with young people in neighbourhoods and has gone from strength to strength in the last two years.”

“Supporting our children to achieve their goals to build a positive and successful future for themselves is a key priority for the Council, demonstrated by our ongoing commitment to maintaining funding for youth services.”

Duncan Nicholson, Head of Regional Funding from the National Lottery Community Fund said 

“Our work with Newcastle City Council on the Newcastle Youth Fund has been a great example of how people who buy Lottery tickets ultimately support grass roots organisations, in this case, supporting young people. We are particularly proud to have been able to give young people a voice in who and what is funded in their communities. Their contribution has been fundamental to the success of the programme and we look forward to continuing to develop this work.”

Applications will re-open for round 4 of funding in June 2024. 

For more information and details of the successful applicants visit the Newcastle Youth Fund webpage.