£70k cash boost for West Dorset youth and art groups (From Thisisdorset)

£70k cash boost for West Dorset youth and art groups

5:00pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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GRANTS for youth and arts groups have been increased with youngsters and arts lovers in West Dorset receiving a £70,000 cash boost.

Four local youth advice centres, including Routes in Dorchester, will get £8,700 each – a total of £34,800 – over the next two years.

Dave Thompson, director of the Dorset Youth Association which runs Routes, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that West Dorset District Council has continued to support vital youth advice and information centres in West Dorset.

“It’s really important that a range of partners contribute to our funding.

“The fact is that we get a lot of young people coming through the door without anywhere to sleep at night.

“People come here in a terrible state really needing help and support and we offer independent advice.

“They may have a range of difficulties, may have received an eviction notice or have a range of mental health issues.”

The cash will be used for the general running costs of Routes, he added.

The other centres to benefit from the grants, which have increased by one per cent, will be Rendezvous in Sherborne, The Mill in Bridport and InSparations in Lyme Regis, the district council’s executive committee decided.

The independent centres are all run by volunteers and offer young people aged 11 to their early twenties somewhere to meet up and get advice and information on welfare issues and practical help in getting jobs.

Centres also provide food as well as appropriate clothing for job interviews.

Dorchester Arts is receiving a one year grant of £35,982 for 2010/11 and will use the cash to improve arts in the wider community.

District council leader Robert Gould said: “All these grants have been increased by one per cent, compared to the level of funding we offered in 2009/10.

“This shows how the district council is continuing to support community services provided by the local voluntary organisations.”

Nick Thornley, the council’s community enabling manager said that supporting young people is one of the council’s top priorities.

“Working alongside schools, youth clubs and other organisations such as Scouts and Guides, the youth advice centres play a key role in looking after young people’s welfare,” he added.