Wigan's annual allocation for the youth opportunity fund (YOF) was £189,634, and £164,018 for the youth capital fund. The council decided from the beginning to run the funds through a partnership with the voluntary sector.
Kelly Mills, development worker at Wigan Council for Voluntary Youth Service, has been supporting the panels, helped at various stages by participation workers from the borough's youth service.
Who is on the panel? The initial panel of seven young people was recruited by inviting a select number to a recruitment event. Sheila Martland, strategic manager for youth work at Wigan Borough Council, says: "We contacted a lot of hard-to-reach groups such as those with learning difficulties and disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups, black and minority ethnic groups and others based on principles of social inclusion. We ended up with an excellent panel that's a good representation of young people across the borough."
With the initial panel coming to the end of its term, Martland is hoping the young people involved will pass on their expertise to new members.
The challenges
Alerting young people in the borough about the funds' existence was a challenge. The panel worked with Wigan's marketing team to design information packs and to help to distribute them. "The first round was relatively straightforward - quite do-able for the panel," says Martland. "However, for the second year we were inundated with funding applications and a capacity issue developed."
The panel instigated changes, including refining the scoring system, bringing in advisers and developing a different approach for part-funding projects where it couldn't give the full amount.
What the young people say
"It's been good to do something for other young people," says James Owen, 17, from Leigh, who has cerebral palsy. "A lot of young people applied for money towards transport costs and activities. The thing that surprised me was the number of applications we got to improve buildings, but that was a key part of the criteria, so people were justified in asking for it."
James adds he has really enjoyed the experience. "I was nervous at the first meeting because I didn't know how the other people would react to the fact I have cerebral palsy. The group did not fully understand the issues about disability before we came together but talking to them has improved their knowledge, so I feel I have achieved something important.
"It used to get on my nerves when people would talk about me as if I wasn't there. Now I will challenge people if they ignore me. Being on the panel has taught me to respect myself and it has given me bundles of confidence. I've made some really good friends."
The future
The increased popularity of the funds has led Wigan to rework its panel structure. A single panel covering the whole of Wigan will now handle YCF applications. It is intended that the spending decisions it takes will become more closely tied in with other local capital, enabling young people to influence strategic spending across the borough. Responsibility for YOF has been split between three area panels in the hope that it will help to address local needs better. The council is also looking to appoint a second member of staff to support the panel. "It's become a massive post for just one person," acknowledges Martland.
WHERE THE MONEY WENT
- Westleigh Basketball Club: Since forming in 1998, the club, which is based in one of the more deprived areas of Wigan, has put scores of young people through coaching and refereeing courses, winning numerous awards for its work. The club received £9,090 from the YOF, which has been spent on setting up a Sunday league, entering a team into the National Junior League and paying for training costs. A YCF grant from a previous round also enabled the club to buy height-adjustable baskets so they can train children and disabled young people. Head coach Sharon Seaton says: "There is no way we could have made the progress we have without funding from the youth opportunity fund and youth capital fund."
- Ashton Youth Action: Ashton-in-Makerfield is often cited in the Wigan press as an area of 'youth nuisance'.Local teenagers formed a group to show the positive contribution they make to the community and to bring more youth activities to the area. The group received £1,028 from YOF. The money has been used to bring the Wigan Rock Bus to the area every Tuesday night, providing activities onboard such as DJing, internet access, board games and Xbox. The grant also paid for a film highlighting the positive things local young people do.Laura Jane Morriss, Ashton Youth Action treasurer, says: "The money is not just for our use. It is to provide for other young people in the area as well."
- Well Women Centre: This drop-in service provides girls with advice, guidance and support on issues such as sexual health, self-esteem, bullying and problems at home. Young women from the service's Wish (Women in Sexual Health) project received £2,190 to furnish new premises and to cover the cost of activities, including a trip to Alton Towers. Philippa Chapman, project worker at Wish, says: "Where we were based before was old and dated but the girls have bought things like leather sofas and lamps, and they now have a place to meet that is welcoming, comfortable and airy. Lots more girls are coming along to the group as a result and they are now asking if the centre can be open for more nights."
