​Over £1.3m awarded

A dance company helping young people connect with older folk through dance is among a number of groups sharing in £1.3m of dormant bank account cash.

Across the country 19 youth-led projects cashed in on £1,334,561 from the Young Start Fund, which aims to help young people build confidence.

Delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, Young Start awards dormant bank and building society cash to projects led by and for young people.

Glasgow-based Barrowland Ballet, based in Glasgow, scooped £98,314 to deliver intergenerational dance workshops and performances.

The project, called ‘Wolf Pack’, will also provide three young associates places to volunteer and gain group facilitation and leadership experience.

Natasha Gilmore, artistic director of Barrowland Ballet, said: “We provide a chance for young people to creatively engage alongside other members of their local community, develop new skills and create dance performances that give each of them an opportunity to express themselves.”

Magic Torch Comics in Inverclyde received £62,708 to enable it to run Outside the Box – Community Comics, which will empower young people from marginalised groups to create comics that reflect their community. The young people will design, create and distribute their comic books at this year’s Comic Con.

Paul Bristow, director of Magic Torch, said: “Over the next two years our Outside the Box project will work with young people to help them share their stories, life experiences, hopes and ideas using comics.

“We're looking forward to discovering lots of new writers and artists - everyone has a story to tell."

National Lottery Community Fund chair, and Maureen McGinn, said: “Young Start aims to support projects that are led by, and for, young people, giving them the best possible start in life.

“All projects share an ambition to help young people grow in confidence and play an active part in realising their potential."