New providers of youth activities in Shropshire announced

Shropshire Council has announced the groups and organisations that will deliver youth activities in Shropshire from this month (September 2015) onwards – plus information about the activities that they’ll be providing.

Shropshire Council stopped directly delivering youth activities in July 2015, and is now commissioning these activities from other providers – through the county’s Local Joint Committees (LJCs).

Earlier this year the LJCs talked to young people and local communities to get a better understanding of what activities people would like to see delivered in their areas. They also made use of local experience and knowledge to make recommendations about what youth services should be provided in their areas to meet local needs.

Shropshire Council then invited local organisations and groups to apply to provide activities in their areas – based on the LJC recommendations.

Applications were considered by Shropshire Council, the appropriate LJC and young people over the summer and the new providers can be seen here – along with information about the activity they will be providing, and contact details.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“I’m delighted that such a wide range of activities will be provided across Shropshire by a wide range of groups and organisations and I wish our new providers every success.

“Our aim was to ensure that as many young people as possible can continue to access a wide range of activities after school, at weekends and in school holidays, to support their well-being, development of personal and social education and preparation for adulthood. I’m confident that we have achieved this aim.

“We anticipate that by commissioning youth activities the capacity of the community and voluntary sector (CVS) will increase. This is really positive for young people and CVS providers as this is funding that has not previously been available in these areas.”

Earlier this year a partnership of Shropshire Youth Association (SYA) and Energize Shropshire Telford & Wrekin (Energize STW) was chosen by Shropshire Council as its preferred partner to offer support and training to voluntary sector organisations delivering youth activities in Shropshire.