FUNDING has been awarded to a skills training group to work with teenagers at a Bridport school.

The ASPIRE project will work with students at the Sir John Colfox Academy after attracting "confidential" funding from a local source.

Project founder and voluntary manager Arthur Woodgate, said: “ASPIRE was created six years ago to support young people uncertain of their future, and struggling with that uncertainty.

“More recently, we’ve focused on the 19-plus age group in order to be able to access the finances needed to keep this successful project going."

He added: “Suffice it to say that this is a local organisation dedicated to supporting young people towards realising a positive future.

“Unusually, they seek no publicity for themselves, and this is to be respected.”

Coordinator of ASPIRE, award-winning trainer and tutor Charlotte Storey, is now a regular face at the Sir John Colfox Academy, working in partnership with staff from the school’s pastoral care and inclusion team.

Sir John Colfox headteacher David Herbert, said: “It is absolutely terrific to have the support of project ASPIRE and to have Charlotte available to help work with some of our students.

“Supporting students' aspirations and positive mental health is very important to us and this support will enable us to do this more effectively. We are very grateful for the support on offer.”

This new development is in partnership with local charity, Bridport Young Persons Action Trust (BYPAT). Initiated by BYPAT chairman and former mayor of Bridport, Phil Lathey, it has been selected as one of the first three beneficiaries of the local Co-op’s new community fund.

Further funding has been contributed by Bridport Town Council and Allington Parish Council.

Mr Woodgate added: “The work in the academy setting is very important, especially with so many pressures now on young people to achieve.

“But it’s equally important to offer support within the community itself, where life’s pressures can be just as demanding and perhaps particularly daunting to those facing them for the first time.”

In order to support this extended work, a town-centre base has been identified for future use and this is being offered free of charge in order to support the group's work.

For more information, email a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com