Cumbria Youth Alliance are celebrating being awarded £110,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to continue an education programme with young people in West Cumbria.

The youth leadership initiatives project works with young people aged 14 to 18 who are at risk of dropping out of education.

It has been running for three years, with money originally provided by the Big Lottery Fund and can now continue for a further two years.

Sally Scales, Business development manager at CYA said: "Thanks to national lottery players we're celebrating the good news that we've received £110,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to support CYA's young leaders' programme.

"CYA staff are particularly pleased that the work has been recognised by the Big Lottery Fund and can continue to provide this programme for young people in West Cumbria in order to achieve their full potential."

The two-year project will offer alternative learning through sport, outdoors, volunteering opportunities, work tasters, work programmes and employer engagement and will primarily work with young people who have been identified by schools as being at risk of disengaging from formal education.

Duncan Nicholson, head of regional funding for the North East and Cumbria at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “It’s great to see communities coming together to support young people across West Cumbria as they transition into the world of work or further education.

We’re delighted that National Lottery funding is being used to make a difference to the future of these young people and to help them thrive.” Cath Clarke, from Cumbria Youth Alliance, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players we’ll be able to support young people on their journey into adulthood, and provide opportunities for them to develop the skills and knowledge they need for later life. We put an emphasis on listening to young people, they really help to shape the activities, and we will use the results and outcomes of this project to demonstrate how working in a different way with young people can get brilliant results.”

The project will work with around 100 young people every year, offering creditations such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and national governing body sports awards, as well as access to leadership programmes.

Over the last three years the programme has helped 362 young people and now a further 200 can be assisted over the next two years.

"Over nine out of ten young people achieved a creditation and all improved their confidence and motivation.

Young people that have attended the programme have improved their skills and are better equipped going forward in the world of work", Sally added.