Newton Heath Youth Project CIC

Newton Heath Youth Project is a community organisation working in the Newton Heath area of Manchester.  Initially set up to work with disadvantaged children and young people, it has expanded to offer various community projects, activities and events to benefit adults, families and older people.

The Foundation has offered a grant of £8,000 towards a specific project working with women from the local Traveller community.  This project began in 2018 with a weekly drop-in and safe place to meet – it was requested by the women themselves as there were no specific services or groups in the area that catered for them.  The group has grown quickly and there are now 20-25 women attending each week.  Activities range from educational art, crafts, cooking and visits to places of interest, many of the women use the time to seek advice and guidance on everyday issues, some unique to the Traveller community.  Support is provided including advocacy and advice around help in dealing with problems at school for the women’s children; or help developing CVs, applying for jobs or accommodation for example.  Overall this work’s outcomes include the women having improved confidence and self-esteem; improved knowledge of, and access to, local services; and better community cohesion in the local area.