£150,000 to expand Young Advisor scheme

The funding will be used to train almost a hundred Young Advisors to work in NDC areas, giving young people a voice to directly effect local and national policies.

It will build on the success of twenty projects established since January 2006. The funding will be used to replicate the groundbreaking work of young advisors in areas such as East Manchester, where young people commissioned school holiday activity clubs, ran a young people's counselling surgery and conducted research for the National Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Baroness Andrews said:
"I have seen for myself how the funding we've put into the Young Advisors scheme so far really has given a strong voice for young people in the community and an influence on national policy, for example their recent input into the forthcoming Councillor Commission report. That is why I am so pleased to announce this further funding today, giving more young people empowerment to influence the way their communities are run". 

The sixteen schemes that have received funding today are:
Birmingham (Aston) - West Midlands
Brent (South Kilburn) - London
Coventry (Wood End Green) - West Midlands
Hammersmith and Fulham (North Fulham) - London
Haringey (Seven Sisters) - London
Islington (Finsbury) - London
Lewisham (New Cross Gate) - London
Luton (Marsh Farm) - East
Newcastle (West Gate) - North East
Plymouth (Devonport) - South West
Rochdale (Heywood) - North West
Sandwell (Greets Green) - West Midlands
Sheffield (Burngreave) - Yorkshire and Humber
Southampton (Thornhill) - South East
Southwark (Aylesbury) - London
Walsall - West Midlands

Recruitment and training for the new Young Advisor schemes will begin next month.