Hampshire has been awarded a massive £7.2 million to help children and families to benefit from services that they would not normally have access to, and to enable early intervention ensuring all children get the best start in life.

The funding, which is to be spread over three years, will go towards providing a variety of facilities, projects and services for children, young people and their families across Hampshire.

In Hampshire The Children’s Fund is a partnership initiative run buy a board of voluntary, community and public sector organisations in the county, with Hampshire County Council Social Services Department acting as the lead agency. The board is currently in the process of approving over 100 service plans for projects which range in scale from £500 to £60,000.

The plans are very diverse and include schemes such as subsidised places in holiday play schemes and after school homework clubs, many of which will actively involved the children’s families. Older children are set to benefit from new facilities including skate parks, cyber cafés and youth cafes.

There are proposals to improve counselling and facilities for people suffering the effects of domestic violence and for young careers to be provided with extra support. Plans have also been put forward to tackle bullying through child protection training for voluntary groups.

Commenting Councillor Felicity Hindson Executive Member for Social Care said: "The County Council aims to maximise life opportunities and is continuously improving its services to meet the needs of the whole community. This funding will offer many children in Hampshire, including those with disabilities, the opportunity to take part in activities they may have otherwise missed out on.

"Providing facilities for young people is a key priority for the County Council and the fund offers something for everyone. It will improve the availability of sport and recreational activities, increase the opportunity to take part in extra educational activities as well as providing additional support and counselling services."

Notes to Editors
The Children’s Fund is a Department of Health initiative which aims to provide services that will help children aged 5-13 years to access the services they need. The fund complements the Sure Start initiative for pre-school children and the Connexions Service for the over 13’s to ensure help and support for children of all ages.