A group of young people who attend the Peer Project in Stranraer were successful in their bid to D&G Youthbank for equipment and resources for their group.
The project’s youth committee applied for £400 for extra resources, such as arts and crafts, and sporting equipment, for their Monday night sessions. The Youthbank assessors who took part in the 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.
One of the Youthbank assessors said: “the extra resources will encourage further participation, physical exercise and creativity, as well as boosting confidence. We felt they should get the full amount as it will benefit many young people and from the site visit you could see that they all enjoy getting together as a group.”
Chair of the Wigtown Area Committee, Councillor Marion McCutcheon commented “I am delighted that Dumfries & Galloway Youthbank and the assessors involved have recognised the importance of the Peer Project in Stranraer and the great opportunities it provides for local young people. I have no doubt this funding will give the project a huge boost and will help to encourage young people’s involvement and participation further”.
The purpose of the Peer Project, which operates in both Stranraer and Dalbeattie, is to provide opportunities for young people with a wide range of additional support needs to come 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.
