ALMOST half a million pounds is being spent providing opportunities for young people to broaden their skills.

Environmental regeneration charity Groundwork has been awarded £450,000 in government cash to run the Inspiring Communities scheme.

Children and young people in the south of Stoke-on-Trent will benefit from workshops, summer camps, and mentoring opportunities under the project designed to encourage a positive outlook on life.

Now organisers are hoping residents from the Florence, Normacot and Dresden areas will offer their time and volunteer with the project.

Around 340 pupils who attend Longton schools Edensor Technology College, St Thomas More Catholic College, Sandon Business and Enterprise College, Longton High and Blythe Bridge-based Aynsley Special School were given a taster of the activities at the Britannia Stadium yesterday.

Under the theme of Big Up Your Future, pupils will be allocated a volunteer to help them with their maths and English skills.

Parents will be given the chance to help at after-school clubs or attend workshops to improve their skills so they can better support their children at school.

Family Firefighters courses will be held using fire and rescue activities to develop team work skills. There will also be a week-long summer camp at an outdoor activity centre. And with the help of local businesses, pupils will receive guidance on how to develop their business ideas through the Young Enterprise and Big Ideas initiatives.

"There will also be support to help children deal with the issues of changing schools and drama and philosophy workshops.

The project, which Groundwork is heading with Cluster 3, a group of secondary and primary schools, health, fire and police services and voluntary organisations, will run until March next year.

Cluster development manager Kay Price said: "This is about the community working together for young people and giving parents confidence. They may want to help their children more with their school work or building confidence, but not have the right knowledge or skills."

Stoke-on-Trent is one of only 15 areas in the country to be chosen to benefit from the Inspiring Communities cash.

Barrie Harrington is chairman of Normacot Residents' Association and sits on a panel set up as part of the project to encourage more volunteers to sign up.

He said: "This is just what the area needs. It is going to give the youngsters a greater outlook on life."

Asif Mehmood is a teacher at Edensor Technology College and also sits on the community panel. He said: "Hopefully we will be able to create some role models for them in the community."

Anyone who can help by mentoring or leading an activity can call Rebecca Leyland at Groundwork on 01782 829900.