Pilot aims to help young people who feel isolated

Cornwall Council said it was one of 12 local authorities to be selected

A council has said it aims to improved engagement with children and young people, especially in isolated and rural areas, after being chosen for a government pilot scheme.

Cornwall Council said it was one of 12 local authorities to be selected to take part following a successful bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

It has been awarded £677,000 to deliver the Local Youth Transformation Pilot in partnership with Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) youth groups.

The council said the grant would fund three new Youth Transformation Lead posts, for east, mid and west Cornwall, and each would help develop a youth offer for their area.

It said it was chosen because of its existing work in children's services and the high-quality youth work being delivered through VCS groups.

The Youth Transformation team, covering east, mid and west Cornwall, will be in towns and villages for at least 10 hours a week, visiting schools and other groups and listening to the views of parents, carers, children and young people, the council said.

'Vote of confidence'

Cornwall Council said the pilot would also create a "digital youth work offer" to support isolated young people.

Councillor Hilary Frank, cabinet member for children, families and schools at Cornwall Council, said she was delighted Cornwall was one of 12 local authorities chosen by government to deliver the pilot.

She said: "It's a real vote of confidence in the work already happening here, and in our ambition to rebuild a strong, locally-led youth offer across Cornwall.

"This isn't just about funding. It's about belief: belief in our young people, in our youth workers, and in the power of community to open doors and change lives."