Updates

Fairbridge have received funding from the Parenting Institute to run a project targeting Young Fathers who are struggling with personal and social skills.   This is very much a first steps project. The young people will be engaged through a week long induction course called Access which offers them a variety of challenging high impact activities followed by a week of sessions aimed at improving their skills base.

The Big Lottery Fund has announced that it will spend at least £30m in 2010 on projects that support young people. The programme will be announced later this year, but Big is inviting feedback from charities on how the funds should be allocated - email youngpeople@biglotteryfund.org.uk by 15 January.

Changemakers in partnership with the Local Government Information Unit has published Youth Participation Growing Up? This report makes several recommendations including :-

> Local authorities should make more use of the growing popularity of Social Networking Sites when advertising opportunities for young people.

> Local authorities should place a greater emphasis on ensuring that potential applicants are drawn from a more diverse pool of aspirants.