New £90k funding helps ARU extend youth project
Trusted Adult Scheme is awarded grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has received almost £90,000 in new funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help secure the future of a unique project to support local youngsters.
Run from ARU’s campuses in Cambridge and Peterborough, the Trusted Adult Scheme was created by ARU criminology lecturer Dr Paul Nelson and launched in 2023.
The Trusted Adult Scheme, believed to be the only university-led project of its kind in the country, is designed to help young people, aged 13-18, thrive through a range of positive activities to build self-confidence and resilience.
Following a successful tender process, ARU has recently secured £89,931 national Home Office grant funding through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston, to allow the Trusted Adult Scheme to continue into 2028.
The new grant, which has been match-funded by ARU, means that the Police and Crime Commissioner has now committed more than £200,000 of Home Office grant funding to the project since its inception.
Referrals to the Trusted Adult Scheme are made by partners in Education and Targeted Support at Cambridgeshire County Council. By including those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) who may be exhibiting risky behaviours, the scheme provides the young people with the chance to develop peer relationships and improve their prospects in education and employment.
Activities run for three hours each week and include creative arts and crafts, sport, music and gaming, taking advantage of ARU’s campus facilities including music production and art studios. Student volunteers from ARU help lead the programme, after a period of training supported by ARU and Cambridgeshire County Council.
“Funding projects like the Trusted Adult Scheme delivers on many levels offering the group new and different experiences in supported environments.
“Often young people need someone to talk to, to confide in and this trust is something which only grows when they feel safe, seen and heard within an inclusive environment.”
Darryl Preston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough“The 13 to 18-year-olds come to us needing support, guidance and encouragement – seeing them leave as matured individuals just can’t be measured.
“Many of these young people have no idea what opportunities are out there so we provide a safe space allowing them to explore what they enjoy doing and effectively getting to know themselves better. Receiving this funding is going to make such a difference to so many local young people.”
ARU’s Dr Paul Nelson, who runs the Trusted Adult Scheme