A Newtown-based project that helps young people gain life skills and confidence have been given a cash boost of almost £100,000 from the National Lottery.

The Game Change Project will build on a recent pilot involving a group of four teenagers from Newtown, Llanfair Caereinion and Llanidloes high schools.

The new grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes, will see the programmes working with over 90 young people and running during term times over the next two years, hopefully starting in Autumn 2020.

Andrew Evans, project co-founder, said: “This will be a great way to connect the younger and older generations and reduce isolation which we will need when we get out of lockdown”

His partner Sian added: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to broaden the range of opportunities available to local young people who struggle in a classroom environment”.

The £99,374.00 grant will enable the project to run engaging, practical activities for young people aged 13 to 24. The activities will include digger driving, basic mechanics, equine handling, problem solving and team challenges giving kids the opportunity to develop skills and life experiences outside the traditional classroom setting.

The enterprise will be able to press on with plans to develop a ‘skills in the community’ initiative which will create opportunities for young people to practice skills whilst lending a helping hand to older people.

Nicci Brown, who volunteers for the project and whose son attended the pilot, said: “There will be a lot of children thankful for this sort of help, support and encouragement in the future”.

Any young people who could benefit from taking part or volunteers to help with the project when it hopefully gets running later this year visit the Fac book page or get in touch by emailing gamechangeproject@gmail.com .

The National Lottery Community Fund is now prioritising grants to help address issues created by measures to tackle the impact of the coronavirus. Information on applying for funding is available at www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk