HBB & OTR (BANES) partner to support loneliness in young people!

Funding delivered by Co-op Foundation through Building Connections Fund Youth strand

High Tech Bristol & Bath, and Off The Record (BANES) will help to make Midsomer Norton Town Hall more accessible for young people over the next three months after being awarded £9,981 from the Building Connections Fund Youth strand.

The partners will work with young people to come up with detailed improvements that may include designing novel games to help build connections and tackle loneliness.

Work is expected to be completed by March with a new DigiLocal club supporting the Town Hall and young people in the area.

Any young people who want to be involved, should contact John on john.bradford@digilocal.org.uk

Funding is being delivered by the Co-op Foundation as part of the Building Connections Fund Youth strand, a partnership with government.

High Tech Bristol & Bath, and Off The Record (BANES) are one of 145 projects that has received funded today.

Dr John Bradford (CEO, HBB), said:

“DigiLocal was designed to support communities to run tech clubs for their young people. This partnership with Off The Record continues that co-design approach, empowering young people to tackle loneliness through games design and collaborating in a friendly and fun club setting. The funding from Building Connections Fund will allow us to launch a new club with Midsomer Norton Town Hall and support young people in North Somerset.”

Jim Cooke, Head of the Co-op Foundation, said:

“Spaces where young people can come together to enjoy shared interests are important for building connections and tackling youth loneliness. By involving young people in improving local spaces, we’re helping to increase their confidence and skills, while also building stronger, co-operative communities. We look forward to seeing the impact this funding has tackling youth loneliness across England.”

The Building Connections Fund is a partnership between government, Co-op Foundation the Big Lottery Fund to tackle loneliness and improve community connections. Co-op Foundation is delivering grants for all projects supported through the youth-specific strand.

This builds on funding awarded to more than 120 projects in December that included befriending services, community arts groups and support schemes.

For more information on DigiLocal visit https://digilocal.org.uk/

For more information on Off The Record (BANES) visit http://offtherecord-banes.co.uk/

For more information on the Co-op Foundation, visit www.coopfoundation.org.uk