Our Voice, Our Community!

Our Voice, Our Community! is a pilot grant programme designed with young people in partnership with Westminster Foundation, Leaders Unlocked and Cheshire Community Foundation. A Youth Panel has worked together to decide what this funding should focus on, who it should support and how decisions should be made. The aim is to support activities that give young people positive things to do, feel safe, build skills and prevent or reduce anti-social behaviour in their communities in Chester and Ellesmere Port. The Youth Panel wants to fund projects that support 14-18 year olds (or up to 25 for those with additional needs), offering safe, positive and engaging activities for young people that are shaped by young people's voices, needs or lived experiences. The funding prioritises organisations delivering activities that focus on preventing or reducing anti-social behaviour, increasing youth participation and developing life skills and future opportunities such as confidence, teamwork, communication, and raising aspirations. Projects can also improve physical and mental health, help young people develop stronger relationships and social connections, and strengthen the work of other local youth organisations. Activities could include youth clubs or drop-in sessions, creative arts, music or media projects, sport or physical activity (where the focus is wider wellbeing), mentoring or peer support, and skills-building or confidence programmes. Projects can run for up to 12 months from the payment of the grant.