A group of young people who attend the Peer Project in Dalbeattie were successful in their bid to D&G Youthbank for equipment and resources for their group.
The young people, supported by a young volunteer, applied for £673.16 for extra resources, such as arts and crafts, and sporting equipment, for their Wednesday night sessions. The Youthbank assessors who took part in a site visit to meet the group were impressed by all of the activities taking place and by the enthusiasm of the young people involved. They recommended that the full amount should be awarded to help the group purchase the resources needed.
After the site visit, one of the Youthbank assessors commented: “All of the staff and volunteers were very encouraging and active towards the young people and the project itself. It is amazing what they have achieved given the lack of equipment and resources and there is no doubt that this funding will bring many benefits to the group and the young people who use it.”
Chair of Stewartry Area Committee, Councillor Finlay Carson commented “The Peer Project in Dalbeattie provides great opportunities for young people in the area to come together and build their skills and confidence, so to have been successful in their bid to Dumfries & Galloway Youthbank is fantastic and a huge boost. It is also a great opportunity for the Youthbank Assessors to see how funding of this kind can really help support youth groups and initiatives across the region.”
The purpose of the Peer Project, which operates in both Dalbeattie and Stranraer, is to provide opportunities for young people with a wide range of additional support needs to get together with others to make friends, develop their skills and confidence and build relationships in a group work setting.
Dumfries and Galloway’s Youthbank is a youth-led grant giving initiative that encourages groups of young people to apply for money to put their good ideas in to action. Trained Youthbank assessors, who are young people aged 12-25, assess the applications, make site visits and have the final say on what groups get the money. The maximum grant amount is £750.
Photo Details; far left are Youthbank assessors Sarah White & Rhiannon Gerrard presenting the cheque to young members of the Peer Project.
