Website of the UK government

Bath and North East Somerset

A group called the Manic Skaters are setting up a skateboard park in what used to be an anti-social behaviour hotspot. They won support from the local community following a visit to a national skateboarding roadshow.

Bolton

Teens in Bolton wanted to buy a hoist so that young disabled people could use the trampoline at the Lads & Girls Club. They presented their bid by making a DVD explaining why they needed the money and how the hoist would help them get involved in interesting fitness activities.

Dudley

Wannabe film-makers are using their money to make a documentary film about growing up in the West Midlands. They'll interview teenagers from different cultures and backgrounds on real-life issues affecting young people.

Kingston

An all-weather sports pitch was built in the most deprived area of Kingston. Young people had been campaigning for the pitch for some time and got together to present their proposal to the grant board.

Kirklees

Young mums in Meltham are running six-week courses in dance and health and beauty. To celebrate their success, they organised an outing to a local ten-pin bowling alley.

Training and advice on rap and poetry performance is helping young people in Royds Hall who are planning to make a radio show to broadcast on the internet.

A group called Chefs R Us are organising an eight-week cookery course. They'll use their new skills to make a special meal for their friends and families in Holme.

London

Young disabled people in Islington are organising a club night every three months at the Bridge School in Clerkenwell.

Their Youth Fund award will pay for DJ equipment hire, as well as wheelchair-friendly premises and transport. The events are an opportunity for the teenagers to get together and socialise with their friends.

Manchester

The Young People’s Showcase Project aims to use different media, including local radio and posters, to highlight their talents and achievements.

The Youth Funds paid for gardening tools and equipment needed to run an allotment and helped local teenagers who wanted to grow and distribute their own organic vegetables.

North Huddersfield

Local young people received the funding they needed to set up an after-school computer club at the North Chestnut Centre.

North Lincolnshire

The Base project received funding for a youth arts venue that is used and managed by local disadvantaged young people.

Plymouth

Young care leavers set up the Not Noodles drop-in centre where they meet each week to cook and enjoy a healthy meal. They invite other young people to join them, as well as guest speakers who will talk about topical issues.

A group called Wheels on the Beach bought three specialist wheelchairs because their own were too heavy and sank in the sand. With the new chairs, disabled teenagers can have some fun on the beach. They also plan to set up a loan system to share the chairs.

Shropshire

Team building and survival skills courses are among the challenging activities planned by the local Young Men's Group.

Somerset

An outdoor hard-surface games area was repaired so that members of the Bay Centre Dynamos Youth Club could play sports, along with healthy eating and fitness activities inside the centre.

An unused office space was also converted into a drop-in centre for young people.

South Gloucestershire

A project to repair a narrowboat that was funded by the Youth Capital Fund. Youth groups, including young people with learning disabilities, now use the boat and help maintain it.

Together they even built a new hull.

Sunderland

Streetz Café is a meeting place in Houghton Town Centre that was developed and is run by young people in partnership with local youth services.

Funding allowed Young Volunteers @ the Box to offer a wide range of recreational and leisure opportunities for young people in the south of the city.

Inspired by these projects?

If these stories have given you an idea, get in touch with your local authority to find out how you can use Youth Funds to bring it to life.

• What are the Youth Funds?

• Find your local Youth Funds co-ordinator Opens new window