Newton Aycliffe projects benefit from thousands of pounds of funding (From The Advertiser Series)

Newton Aycliffe projects benefit from thousands of pounds of funding

5:23pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Lizzie Anderson

A SCHEME that encourages young people to have their say on community issues and a youth centre in need of a facelift are among those to benefit from the latest round of Area Action Partnership (AAP) funding.

In recent months, Great Ayclifffe and Middridge AAP has handed out thousands of pounds to projects in the Newton Aycliffe area.

GAMP funding enabled Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre to install new flooring and signage and update its computer suite. Durham County Councillors Dorothy Bowman, Joan Gray, Paul Gittins, Mike Dixon and Sarah Iveson supported the project, which is hoped will increase user numbers.

Vince Crosby, chair of the management committee, said: “We are very grateful for the help given by the GAMP team. With further funding, by the summer we will have a completely refurbished centre.

“We are currently in the process of purchasing new equipment such as a pool table and table tennis table."

Aspiring entrepreneurs, meanwhile, have benefited from a new Step into Business scheme that provides grants to people looking to set up a business.

And a grant of £4,000 will enable Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre to introduce new weekly sports sessions for eight to 11-year-olds.

Other projects to benefit include Aycliffe Skate Park, which received £20,000, the Children and Young People Participation Project – a scheme that encourages youngsters to have a say on issues that affect them.