Shropshire Star

Shout it out loud: £80,000 up for grabs for Shropshire youth projects - with video

The world's tallest town crier has plenty to shout about after announcing that £80,000 is being made available to Shropshire community groups that work with young people.

Published
Shrewsbury town crier Martin Wood with 16-year-olds Jemima Purslow and Megan Hardiman, with grants manager Sally Grieve, and Martin's wife and consort Sue Wood

Shrewsbury town crier Martin Wood lent his voice to the new scheme led by the Prince of Wales which will give grants of up to £5,000 to groups working with youngsters in the county.

The #iwill campaign encourages young people to get involved in community activities such as campaigning, fundraising and volunteering.

Charities, community groups and social enterprises which offer opportunities for youngsters aged 10 to 20 – or 25 for disabled people – are being invited to apply for a share of the money.

Campaign organisers say at the moment only four in 10 young people regularly engage in social action, and the aim is to increase this figure to six in 10.

The scheme receives funding from organisations including The Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief and the Pears Foundation.

It is being managed in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin by the Community Foundation, whose chief executive for Shropshire and Staffordshire, Steve Adams, said the aim was to support a broad range of activities.

“We are looking to fund projects ranging from traditional social action such as youth volunteering at a care home, to newer ways to create positive social impact.

Shrewsbury town crier Martin Wood with Megan Hardiman

"This could include micro-volunteering activities where people decide what they want to do.

"For example, that could be a group of friends creating a social media campaign promoting positive body image.

"We want to fund enjoyable projects that build and share skills and demonstrate positive impact on the wider community including simple, basic things like making new friends, trying out new activities and improving life skills.”

It is the first time the scheme has been offered in Shropshire, but Mr Adams said schemes supported in other areas have included a drop-in centre where young people teach new skills such as coding, bike maintenance and nail art.

"We’ve also had the teaching of interview techniques, video editing, growing vegetables, the list is wide, but they have all had a very worthwhile cause and effect.”

£80,000 in grants are available to groups which work with young people

Mr Wood, who at 7ft 2in is officially the world's tallest town crier, launched the scheme with local youngsters on Tuesday.

He said: “It’s great to shout out a proclamation using one of the world’s oldest forms of communication to the internet and social media savvy younger generation.

"I hope many people across the county of all ages will ‘shout up’ and be counted and embark upon a very worthwhile journey helping others in their community.”

The scheme is now open to applications for funding, and will remain so until December.

For more information telephone 01743 295900 or visit cfshropshire.org.uk