Groups win £35,000 funding boost

Projects ranging from circus skills sessions to bushcraft courses and sports activities in Castleford, West Yorkshire, were given a share of the funding after groups presented their bids to more than 250 residents who voted for the winners at the town’s civic centre.

Among them was the Friends of Fryston Woods, which will use the cash to teach young people about tree felling and how to build shelters and camp fires.

Secretary Steve Wright said: “We want to teach young people woodland skills so it brings them off the streets and the woodlands mean more to them than just a place to hang out and drink.”

The Positive Choices event was organised by the Wakefield Together Partnership of Wakefield and District Housing (WDH), Wakefield Council, West Yorkshire Police and NHS Wakefield.

WDH’s area manager, Joanne Smith, said: “Events like this are a perfect example of how WDH, partners across the Wakefield district, and local people can pull together to make a positive difference to the lives of local people.”