Founded 11 years ago this month, Bridport's ASPIRE project continues to work with young people through the pandemic, extending its services - albeit at a distance - to provide support for more who are struggling with their lives.

This has been boosted by a donation of £900 from an anonymous benefactor wishing to "support disadvantaged young people" and who wants to do this through a project that is "local and specific".

ASPIRE is a completely free service provided by voluntary non-profit making company BEST - Bridport Enterprise Supporting Training - Ltd in partnership with the Bridport Young Persons' Action Trust (BYPAT) charity.

Individual and group support is provided and, through the BYPAT Charity, so is practical help in the form of funding for individual needs - training, transport, clothing, equipment, materials etc.

Previous contributions towards supporting such needs have come from the Quakers, Bridport Town Council, the Co-op and Waitrose Community Funds, Allington Parish Council and Bridport Lions Club, and this latest donation of £900 has helped ensure that this essential support remains in place.

Award-winning co-ordinator, Charlotte Storey, has worked with referrals from a number of agencies, including the Prince's Trust, Job Centre Plus, Children's Society, NHS Foundation Trust, Children's Centres and the Sir John Colfox Academy.

She said: "Many are finding motivation a real issue this time around. There will be a massive spike in mental ill health when lockdown ends."

Nominated for an award from the Centre for Social Justice, ASPIRE was initially funded by BBC Radio Solent, Comic Relief and Dorset County Council Community Fund. From 2013 to 2017, it played a successful role in the development of the 'Learning in the Community Programme' promoted by Skills and Learning BDP (Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole).

In order to meet the needs of those not catered for, and with particular emphasis on the mental well-being of young people, the project then became independent and, for the past four years, has been funded entirely through a number of generous and anonymous donations from within the community.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 01308 423767.

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