STAR – The Young Somerset Opportunity Fund
The Somerset Trust for Arts and Recreation (STAR) provides vulnerable and disadvantaged young people (ages 0-25) with opportunities in music, arts, sport, and recreation. By enabling access to these activities, STAR helps young people build resilience, confidence, and social skills, improving their overall well-being and future prospects.
Many disadvantaged children and young people face lower self-esteem, fewer social opportunities, and higher risks of social exclusion. STAR aims to break these barriers by funding enriching experiences that support personal growth and development.
What STAR Funds:
- To provide small grants directly to enable Young People (Up to the age of 25) to overcome any ‘practical’ (as defined above) barriers to participation in Youth Activities as a result of their personal circumstances.
- To provide small grants directly to organisations providing Youth Activities to expand their domains of activity resulting in greater levels of participation. For example, we might support a recruitment campaign for adult leaders/volunteers, provide a financial contribution to provide some ‘free’ access to activity or fund the purchase of equipment to expand the offer of a Youth Organisation.
What STAR Doesn’t Fund:
- Direct participation of a young person in an activity for longer than a 12-month period.
- Two applications for the same child in succession. However, we might fund two elements of one application, for example kit and membership fees.
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There is a ceiling of a total grant of £500 per child.
- Driving lessons.
- Residential activities that are organised by organisations that have access to other funds – for example we wouldn’t support a ski trip organised by a school.
- Young People who live outside of Somerset most of the time.
- Family members of the beneficiary.
- Any request for retrospective payment for costs incurred before approval.
How To Apply:
Applications must be submitted by a professional (such as a teacher or support worker). STAR cannot accept direct applications from parents or young people, nor can it reimburse expenses or make payments to parents or young people.
For application details, contact [email protected] or call 07932 791655.