Young people needed to help distribute cash

Herefordshire has been given £450,000 to increase activities for young people and the council is looking for volunteers to mange the fund. The money comes from the government's Youth Opportunity and Capital Fund and has to be spent on increasing the range of things to do and places to go for young people over the next three years.

The fund is managed by a panel of young people aged between 13 and 19 years from across the county, supported by Herefordshire Council. The panel meets regularly to decide who gets the money and how it is spent. New panel members are now needed to help this very important decision making process.

The job involves working in a team to decide which projects and activities are awarded cash, helping to manage the scheme and making sure the projects are youth led.. The panel also checks that the money given benefits young people and projects most in need.

Training and ongoing support is offered to help recruits assess applications fairly and travel costs are paid.

Amy Lunt, youth involvement worker, said: "This is a great opportunity for young people to develop their skills, get their voice heard and make a real difference for the young people in Herefordshire'.

"Since the project began two years ago, the panel has funded some great projects, including sports events, trips away and film making. We want to make sure there are lots of activities in the county for young people to access, and that young people are influencing decisions, so it's really important we get a good representation on the panel."

Anyone interested can call Amy Lunt on 01432 383008 or text 07792 880202 to find out more about getting involved with the panel and about applying to the funds. Email: alunt@herefordshire.gov.uk
http://www.herefordshireyouthcouncil.co.uk/