Engage

The Neighbourhood Support Fund (NSF), supported in Leeds by Learning Partnerships and branded locally as ENGAGE, is aimed at young people aged 13 to 19 years, particularly those who are not in education, training or employment (NEET). By joining an Engage group, young people are helped back into the social fabric of their communities.

Activities include drama, dance, music, environmental studies, outdoor activities and mechanics - something to spark an interest.

Learning Partnerships works closely with the Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS), in providing support for the Engage network. The funding stream supports 12 locally based voluntary organisations in the delivery of targeted work.

The groups supported are:

• Armley Juniors www.armleyjuniors.co.uk
• The Cardigan Centre: Youth Point www.cardigancentre.btik.com
• Chapeltown 10-2 Club www.cyp10-2club.org.uk
• Getaway Girls www.getawaygirls.co.uk
• Hyde Park Source www.hydeparksource.org
• Interplay Theatre Trust www.interplaytheatre.org
• Leeds Community School (Hamara) www.hamara.org.uk
• Meanwood Valley Urban Farm www.mvuf.org.uk
• Nacro (Try Angle Project) www.nacro.org.uk
• RJC Dance www.rjcdance.org.uk
• The Market Place www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk
• YMCA – Canvas www.ymca.org.uk

The groups also work with young people at risk of offending, young BME people and school underachievers. Engage funding has proved successful in generating innovative ways of reaching and working with vulnerable young people and continues to do so.