News

Severn Trent’s Community Fund has awarded Bishop’s Castle Town Council £18,448 to help create a drop-in centre for young people. 

After consulting local residents, the council identified a need for more activities for young people in the town to support their emotional and mental wellbeing. 

Through the council’s partnership with South Shropshire Youth Forum, they will address this gap in provision by creating a drop in centre, youth club and youth forum for local young people, giving them the opportunity to get involved in educational and social activities and giving them a voice.

Councillor Andy Stelman said: “Bishop’s Castle Council is delighted at the support we have received from Severn Trent. We need to demonstrate that we take young people’s needs and concerns seriously and the reduction of youth services by about 70% over the last decade makes this grant even more critical. 

“We are very pleased to be working in partnership with South Shropshire Youth Forum. Young people are the future of our town and we must listen to what they have to tell us.”

Jade Gough, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, said: “We’re delighted to help Bishop’s Castle Town Council in establishing its new youth support through our grant.

“This is a project that will have a real impact on the local community, and we hope young people in the area access and engage with this wonderful project as much as possible.”

Severn Trent’s Community Fund was created for community groups and projects that aim to improve community wellbeing: 

• People: Projects that help people to lead a healthier life and gain new skills.

• Places: Projects that help to create better places to live in and use.

• Environment: Projects that will help look after our natural environment.

To find out more about the fund, and what projects have been awarded, please visit stwater.co.uk/communityfund.