GRANTS totalling almost £34,000 are to be handed out to seven projects that help Oxford’s youngsters.

Oxford City Council set aside funding after a report, The Indices of Deprivation 2010, put the city in the top half of the most deprived areas in England – placed 131 out of 354.

On Monday several projects were awarded some or all of the money they applied for.

They included Fusion Arts, based in East Oxford, which will get £4,996 to pay for professional artists to train 12 young people as creative apprentices, who will in turn use their skills in after-school clubs.

Administrator at Fusion Arts, Lizzy McBain, said: “It is great to receive the funding. Obviously it is a project we really want to run. We just need to get the match funding to make it happen.”

Yellow Submarine, which we reported yesterday had recevied £10,800 from the Gannett Foundation – the charitable arm of the Oxford Mail’s parent company – also secure dmore money. It was awarded just under £4,000 for a work experience initiative at its Park End Street cafe, for people with disabilities.

Founder Toby Staveley said: “It’s fantastic. The cafe is something there is demand for. W e would not get off the ground without funding.”

A total of 17 groups applied for money under the council’s Youth Ambition Strategy, which aims to improve educational attainment, offer young people opportunities to better their lives and break the cycle of deprivation.

One of the initiatives that lost out was a bid by Innovista International, based in Sandy Lane West, Oxford, which asked for £6,935 to develop an allotment project and engage with 30 children and young people in Barton.

Youngsters, aged 10 to 18, would grow their own food and take part in eight group sessions to learn about cooking and healthy eating.

But it was turned down because Innovista is a Christian organisation and may promote religion.

The report said: “The grants criteria clearly states the city council does not fund activities that promote a religion, therefore the recommendation is not to fund this request.”

Jeremy Todd, Thrive Barton team leader, said: “Obviously we are not pleased about it. Part of what we do as Christians could be seen to promote religion and the church through the events we do. But a lot of it, as here, is secular.”

 

Cash Awards

Fusion Arts, based in East Oxford, asked for £9,992 to train 12 young people as creative apprentices to use skills in after-school clubs. Awarded: £4,996.

Green Square Housing Group, for Rose Hill Junior Youth Club, asked for £3,040 for a project about raising awareness of good food and healthy eating. Awarded: Full grant.

Littlemore Village Hall wanted £4,550 to run projects in beauty therapy, carpentry and youth theatre to engage with 20 young people aged 12 to 19. Awarded: Full grant.

Wolvercote Young People’s Club requested £9,968.64 to run a youth club on Friday nights at Cutteslowe Community Centre. Awarded: £5,000.

Wood Farm Community Forum asked for £8,500 for youth work on Wood Farm. Awarded: £6,375.

Wood Farm Youth Centre asked for £6,000 to continue to run a girls’ group on the estate. Awarded: Full grant.

Yellow Submarine, an organisation that helps young people with learning difficulties requested £5,277. Awarded: £3,958.