2019 is well underway for us all here at the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation. At our recent Trustees Meeting we agreed that £85,500 will be allocated to support young people in the year ahead. Young people from 21 local youth organisations are set to benefit including youngsters from all the local schools.

The first awards are on their way! Over £9000 is ready to go out today.

£2500 will support 7 talented musicians from the Coda Fiddle Orchestra. The John Thornton Music Scholarships are awarded to students who have been assessed as showing above average ability and their awards will provide them with one to one music support and violin tuition.

Beaucroft Foundation School is a school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, many of whom have additional complex difficulties and/or disabilities, mainly autistic spectrum disorders or sensory impairments. The JTYAF is delighted to support them with an award of £3750 which will be used this year towards the purchase of a desperately needed mini bus.

£1250 will provide 9 young people with the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. The funding will cover expenses such as registration costs, expedition fees and walking boots. Without JTYAF support these youngsters would not be able to take part.

St Michael’s Middle School will receive £1000 to support their most vulnerable pupils, by the provision of a life coach and his dog. He is dedicated to improving the lives of these children, who may be in care, may have experienced violence, trauma, grief or rejection and he inspires them to look forward to a brighter future.

A young Brownie has also received an award from the JTYAF to take part in an Adventure Holiday with the Brownies, where she will have a great opportunity for personal development in a fun environment.

Last year more than 300 amazing young people received bursaries and scholarships. The charity also supported no less than 12 whole school projects and numerous group projects. We hope to build on this in 2019.