THE Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust has reopened its grant programme.

The trust has dished out more than £70,000 to 20 youth-focused organisations across the north of England since it was set up in 2009 by Dr John Sentamu.

Many of these projects have been in areas of deprivation, where young people are facing daily challenges, and the scheme has helped to change lives and inspire thousands of youngsters.

Current projects include a grant towards a Summer Playscheme for 85 children in Liverpool and a two-year road trip around every university in the UK, encouraging local churches and students to “love your uni as Jesus loves us”.

Other projects range from training youth leaders to helping street pastors who care for people socialising in towns and cities on Friday and Saturday nights.

Dr Sentamu said: “I am delighted that my Youth Trust is working hard to support valued youth projects through its grant-making programme. I hope that through these grants the trust will help young people become more active in their communities and I’m looking forward to hearing more stories of inspirational young people growing in leadership and serving others.”

Meanwhile, new ways of working with young people in York are being examined in the wake of changes in statutory funding for youth service provision.

Organisations including City of York Council and the city’s Youth Sector Partnership, which involves adults from the voluntary, community, statutory and faith sectors, are to rethink the way they work together and use resources, and also to re-examine young people’s needs.

They will explore alternatives to traditional youth provision, look at how young people could become partners in delivering services and how they can harness the potential of social media to reach and engage young people.

Coun Janet Looker said in recent years there had been changes in statutory funding for youth provision. “So this is the ideal time to collectively focus on reviewing provision for young people, understanding the needs and improving experience of young people in communities.”

For more information on how to apply for Youth Trust grants visit archbishopofyorkyouthtrust.co.uk/grants or phone 01904 707021.