A student-led initiative run by the Union’s Student Community Action (SCA), the project helps provide a supportive community in which the teenagers can develop social skills and form friendships with others that they can relate to, whilst supporting them to build key skills in independent living.

These activities provide respite for parents and carers whilst enabling the young people to participate in activities that many other young people take for granted.

The money from the Children in Need grant will enable this SCA project to support more young people this year than ever before. There is always a waiting list for participants on activities and this funding will ensure a greater number of teenagers benefit from a wider range of experiences.

Rachel Miller, SCA Co-ordinator at the Students’ Union, said: “This funding award of £5,500 is particularly vital at this time as the project’s HEFCE funding draws to an end. It is more important than ever that we secure funding for such projects that would be dearly missed by the participants and student volunteers alike. The project gives students an opportunity to gain experience working with vulnerable groups, organising activities and residential trips and take responsibility for the welfare of others.”