'Social action' plan for coast gets funding

YOUNG PEOPLE ENCOURAGED TO BE 'BLUE INFLUENCERS'

- HERALD REPORTER

AMBITIOUS environment plans to improve the in and around Plymouth Sound will be spearheaded by young people, thanks to a new scheme which has brought funding into the area.

Plymouth organisation Take A Part was among 22 charities to successfully bid for funding from the Blue Influencers Scheme. It is being awarded £20,000 a year for three years.

The grant will help pay for the employment of a Blue Mentor whose role is to recruit young people to become 'Blue Influencers.'

These young people, aged 10 to 14, with the support of their mentor, will create and run social action schemes to improve the environment of their schools, neighborhoods and communities.

The £2.25 million scheme is being match-funded by The Ernest Cook Trust and the #iwill Fund, and will run for three years. Its ambition is to engage more than 4,000 young people as 'Blue Influencers, as well as over 15,000 community members across England.