A YOUTH project which provides support and educational opportunities to Durham’s young people has landed more than £220,000 in funding over the next three years.

Durham Area Youth (DAY), which serves the communities of Great Lumley, Pittington, Shadforth, Sherburn Hill, Sherburn Village and West Rainton, offering sessions to over 300 seven to 18-year-olds, and has now strengthened its future after receiving a six-figure sum from National Lottery.

Since it was formed in 2017, DAY has grown significantly and is looking to provide more provision to the young people of Durham which is looking to grow and expand to widen the reach and provide further opportunities.

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Activities offered by DAY include sports, crafts, and cooking alongside opportunities for young people to gain qualifications such as the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) and Young Leaders qualifications.

It has been recognised for its achievements by winning both the Young Adult & Child Care Award at County Durham Health and Care Awards 2022 and the Community/Voluntary Group of the Year at the County Durham Together Awards December 2021.

There are now plans for DAY to grow its activities after receiving £220,735 from The National Lottery Community Fund.

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Emily Burns, chief executive officer of Durham Area Youth, said: “Since its formation, DAY has made a huge difference to young people and the communities where they live.

“We are proud to offer a wide-range of opportunities to our young people and to give them the chance to lead on developing their own interests and skills under the supervision of our highly skilled and dedicated youth workers.

“This has proved extremely popular and thanks to the generous support of The National Lottery Community Fund and our other supporters we are now in a position to move on to the next stage of our development so we can offer even greater opportunities to Durham’s young people.”

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