New fund to help vulnerable young people

2 May 2014 10:40 AM

Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd has announced more than £2.5 million funding to change the lives of vulnerable young people. 

The funding will help 26 volunteering programmes provide crucial support for young people in vulnerable circumstances, including young offenders and care leavers. The programmes bring together volunteers and community organisations to help solve some of the big issues affecting vulnerable young people.

An estimated 3 million young people up to the age of 18 are vulnerable and disengaged. Many of these fail to reach their potential at school or are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

One social action programme brings together volunteers who open up their homes as temporary emergency accommodation for young people. Another helps young people leaving full-time care by setting them up with a young mentor who can teach them life skills and support them as they move towards independent living.

The grant process

We selected 26 organisations through a fair and open competition process, and awarded grants of between £45,000 and £250,000.

We have awarded the grants through the Vulnerable and Disengaged Young People Fund (which is administered by the Social Investment Business Group). The funding will also be invested through the Centre for Social Action.

Up to 10 large UK businesses will provide free business skills support to these organisations over the course of the grant through the Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI).

Grants awarded

We awarded grants to the most promising initiatives so they can reach many more young people, and show the impact that social action approaches can make. Grant winners include:

Full list of grants recipients