VOLUNTARY and community groups helping to make life better for young people and children in Tavistock and West Devon are being given their last chance to share in £1 million. 2007 is the last year that grants from the government's Local Network Fund for Children and Young People will be available and groups in the area are being urged to get their applications in through the Devon Community Foundation . The Local Network Fund for Children and Young People, which is administered by DCF, has been running for five years and has given £3.1 million to more than 668 groups across Devon to help disadvantaged young people and children. In Tavistock and the surrounding area the Foundation has supported 41 local groups with £203,907 worth of funds, helping everything from mobile youth clubs to music, arts drama and sports projects, playgroups and help for those who are disabled or in isolated areas. Melanie McLoughlin, director of Devon Community Foundation said: 'Young people and children in West Devon often have difficulty in getting access to facilities and support due to the isolated nature of many of the communities. 'For young people, the lack of opportunities available can lead to a reliance on drink, drugs or turning to anti-social behaviour, so the work of voluntary and community groups in providing a positive alternative is vital.' Groups which have been helped by the Local Network Fund over the last few years in West Devon include The Wheelz Project. When a Land Rover and a trailer were transformed into a mobile youth service seven years ago by the Devon Youth Association, it became a life-line to teenagers in the remote areas of Dartmoor. They looked forward to its weekly visit and a chance to share problems with youth workers and join in with activities like learning how to DJ, watching DVDs and internet access. The project received £6,987.86 from the fund. The Okehampton Youth Chorus has also been boosted by a £6, 890 grant. It gives the health and confidence-building benefits of learning to sing, the chance to attend and perform at folk festivals throughout Devon and the opportunity to attend a week long singing summer school in Okehampton. Group organiser Yvonne Parsons said: 'We wanted to give every child a chance to find out just what fun it is to sing and how good it can make you feel. 'The children get involved in finding songs including local folk songs about Devon life which they research with older people in the area.' Other beneficiaries include the West Devon County Netball Association; £2,095 was used to set up a special netball academy to help them improve their skills and progress to club and league level netball. The fund has also recently helped a new junior netball club to be set up in Tavistock and supported a whole range of projects and organisations in West Devon, including Buckland Playpark, Tavistock Stannary Brass Band, Greenlands Residents' Association, Hatherleigh Young Person Working Group and High Moorland Community Action. Melanie McLoughlin, director of Devon Community Foundation added: 'The application process is much simpler and quicker than lengthy lottery or other funding applications and help is on hand from our outreach workers to fill in the forms and turn ideas into reality. 'Grants of between £250 and £7,000 are available and money can come through in as little as 10 weeks.' Anyone wishing to take up their last chance to apply for a grant should call Vicky Worthington at DCF on 01884 235887, or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]
