Uncertain weeks ahead for the Rural Youth Network

Last month, the group announced it had failed to secure the Department for Children, Schools and Families' Children, Young People and Families Grant for the next two years.

As a result, the group, which provides support services for youth organisations in rural areas, now only has enough funds to continue operating until the end of March.

The networks trustees who met last week, have agreed they will continue to look for alternative sources of funding and potential partnerships with other organisations in order to keep the organisation afloat after March.

The group's annual general meeting will take place next month and following that from mid-April the network will be running a reduced service to its members.

Reverend Denise Brown, founder of the Downland Youth Network in West Berkshire, said: "The Rural Youth Network is a very valuable organisation for us because at their conferences and through their publications we can network with other rural groups, share ideas and best practice, and find encouragement while working in an area which can be very isolated.

"I can say that over the seven years we have existed, two-thirds of the projects we run have originated from discussions with other rural groups at the network's events. I hope the group gets the funding needed to continue."

Unless funding can be found the group will lose its administration and finance manager Sarah Hope.