Cornwall Secures £677,000 to Transform Opportunities for Young People

Cornwall has been selected as one of just 12 local authorities in the country to take part in a national pilot scheme designed to improve services and opportunities for young people.

Strengthening Youth Support Across Cornwall

Following a successful bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Cornwall Council has been awarded more than £677,000 to deliver its Local Youth Transformation Pilot in partnership with Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) youth groups.

Cornwall was chosen because of its strong track record in youth work within children’s services and the quality of programmes already being delivered by VCS organisations. The pilot aims to strengthen youth services across communities and improve engagement with children and young people, particularly those living in isolated and rural areas.

The project will see the council and youth organisations working together to ensure every young person across Cornwall has access to meaningful activities, support, and opportunities.

New Roles to Drive Local Change

The funding will support the creation of three new Youth Transformation Lead roles, covering east, mid and west Cornwall. Each lead will be responsible for developing a ‘youth offer’ for their area, which will include Area Youth Forums and a virtual hub for youth organisations and services.

They will also spend at least ten hours a week out in towns and villages, visiting schools and community groups to hear directly from parents, carers, children and young people.

Training, Digital Access and Support

Alongside the new roles, the pilot will bring several benefits, including:

• Training for youth workers and volunteers across Cornwall, promoting youth work as a career.

• Development of a ‘digital youth work offer’ to support young people in remote areas.

• A support fund for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations.

‘A Real Vote of Confidence’

Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Schools at Cornwall Council, said:
“I’m genuinely delighted that Cornwall is one of 12 local authorities chosen by government to deliver this pilot. It’s a real vote of confidence in the work already happening here, and in our ambition to rebuild a strong, locally-led youth offer across Cornwall.

“This isn’t just about funding. It’s about belief: belief in our young people, in our youth workers, and in the power of community to open doors and change lives.”