Councillor Ian Shires (Lib Dem, Willenhall North) is calling on organisations to use £100,000 funding opportunity for local young people

Councillor Shires has today called on colleges, universities and community groups in the West Midlands to apply for National Express Foundation funding to support local young people. “In particular I would urge                                      community groups who support young people in the New Invention and Short Heath areas of Willenhall to make the most of this funding opportunity.”

The charity, now in its seventh year, has already given hundreds of thousands of pounds to community groups, colleges and universities which has helped over 16,000 young people to date.

Earlier this year, the National Express Foundation awarded nearly £230,000 to support 2,000 youngsters across the West Midlands and Kent.

National Express doubled the amount of funding it provided to the Foundation in 2018. The charity has therefore launched an additional funding round this year for the first time. £100,000 of additional funding support is now available to support young people across the West Midlands.

Councillor Shires is urging community groups, colleges and universities across the Walsall and the Black Country to make the most of the funding opportunity and apply for some of the £100,000 that is available, to help young people in the local community. The deadline for applications is Friday 24 August 2018.

The National Express Foundation provides grants for bursaries that help local disadvantaged young students attend further and higher education, as well as funding to support community groups working with local young people.

The charity will award £10,000 per annum to successful colleges and universities to enable them to provide individuals in challenging personal or financial situations with a bursary to help with their costs whilst a student.

Community groups can apply for grants of £2,500, £5,000, £10,000 or £20,000 to deliver positive and engaging activities for local young people in the area.

Councillor Shires said:

“Since it was launched in 2012 the National Express Foundation has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to community groups, colleges and universities. I want to make sure local young people get a fair share and that is why I am calling on local community groups and educational institutions to urge them to use this excellent opportunity and apply for Foundation funding.”

Anthony Vigor, Chairman of the National Express Foundation, said:

“We are extremely proud that over the last six years, the National Express Foundation grants have helped over 16,000 young people to enjoy positive, developmental and engaging activities and helped them to gain qualifications and learn new skills.

“We want to support even more young people this year. We’ve therefore launched an additional funding round, to run alongside the projects we’re already supporting from our first programme earlier this year.

“External funding support is extremely limited – especially so in recent years – which is why I would urge all

local educational institutions and community groups to make the most of this excellent opportunity and submit

an application for Foundation funding.”

For more information about the National Express Foundation’s application process including application forms, please visit: www.nationalexpressgroup.com/foundation