Community projects to receive £130,000 cash injection

A total of 14 community projects have each received grants of up to £15,000 through Leeds Community Foundation to deliver projects that develop young people’s knowledge of the benefits of Higher Education.

Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) is a partnership of 12 colleges and universities which aims to prepare people for further learning. GHWY has been working with Leeds Community Foundation, who manage the GHWY Grants programme, to ensure funds reached impactful projects supporting young people aged 13-19 progress into Higher Education from areas where rates of progression are currently low.

Funded projects are delivering a range of interactive activities to enable young people to make informed choices about their next steps in education as well as supporting parents, carers and other family members. Successful projects include:

  • Commonsense Initiative in Bradford hosting a two-day residential visit combining adventure and education for young women. The project aims to develop confidence and resilience and prepare attendees for Higher Education.
  • Heads Together Productions in Leeds using community radio as a tool to develop a variety of broadcasts that consider how Higher Education works and how young people can gain access to it.
  • Keighley Association for Women and Children Centre (KAWACC) hosting a range of workshops and visits with young women in Keighley’s Pakistani community to tackle the misconceptions around Higher Education and address cultural and religious norms that can hinder educational progression.
  • Spectrum People in Wakefield working with local students, cadets and scouts to produce an app or website which contains Higher Education information. Participants will split into groups and will present their ideas to family members and professionals in a “Dragons Den” style event.

Successful applicants gathered at St George’s Centre in Leeds earlier this week to exchange details of their projects, learning and outcomes, and develop networks and contacts to build on for the future.

Julia Lee from Commonsense Initiative, who received a grant of over £4,000, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded with a Go Higher West Yorkshire Grant. We think it is important to give young people the time and space to explore their strengths and encourage curiosity. Some of the young people we work with would never consider further education or training as possibility. It is fantastic to have received funding to focus on this area and work with young women to make them aware of their options and reach their potential.”

Helen Sykes from Go Higher West Yorkshire added: “Through our partnership with Leeds Community Foundation we have gained insight into the amazing community groups and charities that support our local communities across the region. We strongly believe that community projects can play a vital role in informing young people from a range of backgrounds about the opportunities that Higher Education can bring. It has been fantastic to meet with all the applicants and hear first-hand how their funding will not only raise awareness of Higher Education with young people and their families but will help to build the confidence and resilience of young people in their everyday lives.”

Pip Goff, Partnerships Director of Leeds Community Foundation, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Go Higher West Yorkshire on this programme. We were overwhelmed by the quality of the applications.  It was brilliant to have the input of sixth form students and local parents who joined our independent decision making panel and we are delighted to have been able to fund fourteen fantastic community groups. We are looking forward to following the progress of each of the projects to see the outcomes of their activities and the positive impact they will have on the lives of local young people.”

TheBusinessDesk.com has chosen to support LCF for a year long charity partnership.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close