Youth charities offered share of £3m summer activity fund to tackle anti-social behaviour

Charities are being urged to apply for grants through a £3m government and National Lottery fund, set up to provide young people living in ‘anti-social behaviour hotspots’ with access to sport and arts activities.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has opened applications for the first funding through its Million Hours Fund to support youth organisations to offer additional opportunities for young people in the summer holidays.

Schemes are targeting areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour and aim to offer “more chances for young people to play sport, take part in arts and develop life skills this summer”.

This first round of grant funding is being offered by the government with the National Lottery Community Fund.

It is part of the government’s anti-social behaviour action plan, which was announced in March and aims to support an extra million hours of positive activities for young people.

Additional youth workers, volunteers, venue hire and resources of activities will be made available.

Rolling applications close at 12noon on 14 August and are available to charities and other organisations operating in areas with the highest reported number of anti-social behaviour incidents.

Bristol, Luton, Middlesbrough, Plymouth, Torbay, Manchester and London are among areas being targeted England wide.

Eligible charities need to have a track record of engaging with young people at risk of anti-social behaviour and are able to start work this summer during the school holiday.

“Whilst there is 12 months to spend the funding, this fund is designed to provide additional provision during the 2023 summer holidays, so we expect most spending to happen over the holiday period,” said the government.

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer added: “Every young person, no matter where they’re from, deserves the best start in life and opportunities to fulfil their potential.

“Youth clubs play a central role here - not only offering sports, games and skills development, but also helping support those in need and providing vital role models.”

She added that the fund will mean “more young people can enjoy and take part in positive and fun activities while school is out”.