Shake-up sees Shropshire youth services up for grabs
Organisations are being asked to put on activities for young people around the county following a shake-up by Shropshire Council.
From July, the authority will no longer be delivering youth services but instead commissioning them to organisations and individuals.
And the council is now looking for interested parties to come forward who could deliver services for 10 to 19-year-olds, and people up to the age of 24 with learning difficulties in Wem and Shawbury, Ellesmere, Gobowen, Selattyn, St Martins and Weston Rhyn, and Loton, Longden, Ford and Rea Valley areas.
Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "We anticipate that by commissioning youth activities, the capacity of the community and voluntary sector (CVS) will increase.
"This is really positive for these areas and CVS providers as this is funding that has not previously been available in these areas.
"Our aim is to ensure that as many young people as possible can continue to access a wide range of activities after school, at weekends and in school holidays, to support their well-being, development of personal and social education and preparation for adulthood. I would encourage any groups interested in proving youth activities in these areas to apply."
Over the past few months local joint committees have been working with young people and organisations to come up with ideas on how to spend money.
The plans were then put to members of the public for consultation and Shropshire Council is now looking for organisations that can fulfil those plans.
Applications are being welcomed to provide one evening a week youth club provision in Wem and Shawbury as well as targeted outreach work in rural areas.
Invitations to bid have been published on the Shropshire Council website and circulated to the voluntary and community sector this week.
