A YOUTH organisation has been given a financial boost through a £65,800 grant.

Oxfordshire Youth received the grant from Co-op’s charity, the Co-op Foundation.

The Headington-based organisation will use the money to ensure pupils transitioning from primary to secondary school have the confidence to do so.

The team expects to engage with over 1,720 young people over two years.

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This will be made up of 120 young people from eight different secondary schools in the county, who will then feed their new-found confidence and knowledge to 1,600 primary school pupils.

Hayley Reynolds, youth skills programme coordinator at Oxfordshire Youth, said: “Although the schools are currently closed in line with Covid-19 restrictions, we are excited to work with the young people to facilitate workshops around building resilience and leadership skills.

“Not only will this develop life skills and help them to navigate their own development, but it’s an opportunity for them to inform younger pupils how best to navigate changing schools and curriculums.

“Now, more than ever, these young people will need support in these life-changing moments.”

Jamie Ward-Smith, chair of the Co-op Foundation, added: “Life transitions, like moving schools, can be a lonely and unsettling time for young people.

“Grants will allow young people to improve their wellbeing as they move schools, while offering an opportunity to take action to help others.”