A community project which works with young people in the Cam area will be able to work all year round, thanks to a grant from the Voluntary Sector Youth Capital (VSYC) fund.

GL11 was awarded £8,562 from the fund to buy a new shed for its Bike Shed project for 11-19 year olds. Bike Shed is a project for young people who learn practical skills and repair and refurbish bikes donated for the local community.

Jane McKerron from Bike Shed said: “The new shed will give young people a bigger workshop and storage space. They will be able to carry on coming to the project through the winter and stay warm and dry. It will also mean GL11 can extend the project to local schools to support young people who are having trouble engaging with learning.”

Cllr Stephen McMillan, Cabinet member for young people’s support, said: “This grant will make a real difference to young people in the Cam area. We are dedicated to providing young people with a good choice of things to do and places to go. Bike Shed is not only good fun, but is giving the young people some useful skills and helping them put something back into the community when the bikes are repaired and refurbished.”

Cllr Dennis Andrewartha, county councillor for Cam and Dursley, said: “This project, initially started by a Stroud District Council neighbourhood warden and supported by Cam Parish Council is a great example of local government and communities working together. I am delighted that this grant has been awarded to the scheme, one of the many excellent constructive projects instigated by GL11.”

Cllr Brian Tipper, county councillor for Cam and Dursley, said: “I’m highly delighted to hear that we continue to support this type of project. They are helping young people learn practical skills and giving them chance to work together and have fun.”

Bike Shed is one of three projects run by GL11 for 11-19 year olds in Cam and the surrounding area. The projects were set up with the help of young people who put in funding applications to get them off the ground. Around 39 young people a week attend the three projects.
This year Gloucestershire County Council offered a one-off grant (the Voluntary Sector Youth Capital or VSYC fund) for voluntary youth groups across the county to help them build, extend or repair buildings or buy big pieces of equipment.