After weeks of voting, Carlisle Youth Zone have won the public vote for funding from the Aviva Community Fund banking nearly £25,000 in the process. The money will be used to fund the ‘Get a Future' project, a collaboration with Armstrong Watson which aims to give young people the skills for a future career.
Get a Future was launched in April 2016, encouraging businesses to take a chance on young people. Whether it’s giving them a job, a work experience placement or to meet with them and help them to understand why education is crucial and what kind of future they could have in their home city.
In the past 12 months, 81 young people have benefitted from the project and this funding will see that number increase to 300 over the next 12 months.
Commenting on the successful bid for funding, Lynsey Buckle, Development Manager for CYZ said:
“Armstrong Watson have just demonstrated the true nature of partnership working by leading this bid on our behalf from start to finish. I am delighted that this company, who already provide us with funding for the ‘Get a Future’ project, have played an active part in ensuring the project’s future. The company’s commitment to Carlisle Youth Zone sets the bar high for our future collaboration with local businesses and demonstrates what can be achieved if local businesses recognise that alongside a healthy and vibrant local economy we also need a support infrastructure that meets the needs of our local community”.
Armstrong Watson submitted the application on behalf of CYZ and worked tirelessly during the 4 week voting campaign, promoting the aims of the project and canvassing for support. Their hard work led to the CYZ bid finishing 1500 votes ahead of the competition, which included worthy projects from throughout the country such as London At Risk, Northamptonshire Search and Rescue, National Autistic Society and Notts Rugby Club.
Paul Dickson, Chief Executive of Armstrong Watson commented “When I saw that Aviva were making funding available, we had to put the Carlisle Youth Zone forward as they do such a vital role in giving young people a future, supporting and encouraging them. Not only did the team at Armstrong Watson get behind this initiative, we also had many other organisations supporting it and voting for the Youth Zone. This additional funding is great news as it provides additional resources for Carlisle Youth Zone to further support and help young people in and around the Carlisle area. We are very proud to have been able to assist the Youth Zone to attain the funding from Aviva.”
The funding will ensure that a dedicated coordinator will be able to drive the ‘Get a Future’ project forward and connect more young people with local businesses.
Follow the link below for more information about the 'Get A Future' project
