Liberty Jamboree in Burntwood has been awarded £9,205 by the Government to buy IT and communications equipment.

Michael Fabricant says “I congratulate Liberty Jamboree on their award of £9,205 from the Government as part of the first phase of £380 million from the Youth Investment Fund to purchase equipment to help young people in the area with Special Educational Needs access education and additional skills.

“Liberty Staffordshire was founded in 2015 to offer young people and adults with SEND equal opportunities. They develop programmes which enable its members similar or the same experiences as any other young person.

“Over the past 5 years, Liberty have established a working relationship with the University of Derby, offering professional work placements and paid employment to students on the community and youth work programmes. This has resulted in developing a professional team of Youth and Community workers, Professional SEND teachers and professional coaches in related sports. I congratulate Maggi Huckfield, Liberty Jamboree’s CEO in putting together this successful bid.”

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Civil Society, says  “The Youth Investment Fund is but one element of the Government’s Levelling Up package where we are investing £560 million in young people as part of the National Youth Guarantee. This pledge means that, by 2025, every young person in England will have access to regular out of school activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer. This includes all young people aged 11 to 18, and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities.

“The Fund’s objective is to create, expand and improve local youth facilities and their services. This will help drive a number of positive outcomes for all young people and their communities to improve health and wellbeing of young people; equip young people with skills for work and life; and empower young people to be active members of their communities and society.”

Michael adds “The Government expect to launch the application process for the remaining £368 million tranche of the Youth Investment Fund this summer. Again, youth services across 45 local authorities and more than 600 district wards in the most deprived parts of England will be eligible to apply. The funding will be available across the next 3 financial years – 2022/23 to 2024/25.  I hope many organisations in the area and the west midlands will apply.”

For further information on Liberty Jamboree, click HERE