Vulnerable young people who have been ‘forgotten’ during the Covid-19 pandemic will benefit from a cash boost to a local charity.

Hastings-based charity Education Futures Trust (EFT) has been awarded a grant of £48,642 from the Youth Endowment Fund to support young people at risk of being drawn into violent crime through the Covid-19 pandemic.

EFT will use the funding to deliver a much-needed youth programmes to children at risk. The relationship-based programmes will offer children and young people in the local area the chance to participate in activities they enjoy and will take place in community venues.

Each week, EFT will deliver a half day course, two after school courses and two online quizzes and competitions, with courses lasting ten to 12 weeks and being repeated three times. Eligible young people will have access to one of the courses, as well as online sessions each week.

Carole Dixon, CEO of EFT said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer these activities to young people. Young people have told us that they feel isolated and worried, so these activities have been designed to provide a safe place where participants can enjoy challenge, discuss their concerns and learn new skills.”

Jon Yates, Executive Director at Youth Endowment Fund, said: “It has been too easy to forget vulnerable young people during this crisis. The pandemic has removed much of the critical support that many of them rely upon – from teachers to youth workers. This funding will help us find the best way to reach and support these young people when they most need it.”

The Youth Endowment Fund is an independent charitable trust set up by the Home Office. It funds, supports and evaluates projects in England and Wales which work to prevent children and young people from being drawn into violent crime.

Education Futures Trust is one of 130 organisations to share part of a £6.5m grant pot from the Youth Endowment Fund to help at-risk young people impacted by COVID- 19.

Education Futures Trust is a charitable organisation which seeks to advance education for the public benefit in Hastings and the surrounding area. Working with schools and families, it aims to support the establishment, development and delivery of programmes, initiatives and projects that will advance education and enable the participants to derive maximum benefit.