The UK Government has announced a £22.5 million programme to expand enrichment activities at more than 400 secondary schools in disadvantaged communities across England. According to the Government, hundreds of thousands of young people will gain access to these opportunities.
The programme is coordinated by the Youth Sport Trust with national partners. Local coordinators will work with groups of schools to identify gaps and link them up with community partners, with activities ranging from sports teams and learning instruments to engineering clubs, debating, volunteering and outdoor adventures.
The 58 areas covered, from Birmingham to Plymouth, were chosen on the basis of deprivation indices and span all nine regions of the country. The initiative responds to a survey of more than 14,000 young people, who asked for safe spaces, trusted adults and greater access to enriching activities.
