Scheme Aims To ‘Spark’ Social Entrepreneurs

An awards scheme launched by the Western Trust hopes to encourage young social entrepreneurs to step to the fore.

Teaming up with ‘Live Unltd’ the awards are aimed at inspiring innovative young people in West Tyrone to design a project to help address health and well-being issues within their local community. The Social Sparks programme encourages pupils aged 11-15 (or in exceptional circumstances pupils aged 16-21) years to apply for up to £500 to implement a short project in their local community.

The project can address healthy living, health education, community safety, health and the environment, children’s rights and health benefits of contributing positively to society.

Ashley Whittley, from Live Unltd said, “We also provide a package of support, including advice, training, mentoring and other services to award winners to give their projects the best chance of success. I would say to any young person out there – if you can see a health challenge that you want to take on and turn into a project then we can help make it happen. We’ll contact you to have a chat and find out more. If you’re successful, you’ll become an award winner and we’ll help you launch your project.”

The partnership scheme between Free the Children, the Western Trust and Live UnLtd follows on from the ‘Healthy Life, Happy Life’ awards for young social entrepreneurs earlier this year.

Sonia Montgomery of the Western Trust, who is co-ordinating the programme added, “If you are a young person who can identify a health challenge, all you have to do is tell us more about yourself and your idea by filling out the application form online on the Live Unltd website: www.liveuntld.org.uk.”

The closing date for funding applications is 5pm Friday November 22 at. For more information visit liveuntld.org.uk, the Western Trust’s Facebook page or westerntrust.hscni.net.

Source: ulsterherald.com