It was a pleasure to visit Drop Zone Youth Project in Barrow-in-Furness with Simon Fell MP and join in with the activities. I found it inspiring to hear about their plans for Pride 2022.
Youth spaces and groups like this are so important, ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard, and youth services and trained youth workers can have a transformational impact, especially for young people facing multiple barriers or disadvantage.
I am delighted that young people in England will be given access to more activities, trips away from home and volunteering opportunities as part of a new National Youth Guarantee backed by £560 million investment.
This investment includes £378 million for the Youth Investment Fund. Under this scheme, youth services across 45 Local Authorities and around 600 district wards in the most deprived parts of England will be eligible to apply for the £378 million Youth Investment Fund. It will pave the way for up to 300 youth facilities to be built or refurbished over the next three years, providing young people with a safe space to engage in positive activities outside of school, and access support from youth workers.