The Grants Committee met on Monday 19 October, at Deane House to consider grant applications for youth projects. A recording of the meeting is available to watch on our YouTube channel, and draft minutes will shortly be available on our website.
The Youth Grants programme provides £150,000 in longer-term funding over three years, with £50,000 available each year, to help organisations plan and deliver their projects. All projects supported by these grants must benefit young people who live within the Taunton Town Council boundary area.
Councillors awarded funding to ten organisations, each receiving £5,000 a year for the next three years. The grants will support projects ranging from counselling and mentoring to creative activities, youth groups and outdoor adventures.
Cllr Amber Packer-Hughes, Chair of the Grants Committee, said: “Young people are not all the same. They have different experiences, interests and needs, and sometimes those needs can be complex. We must see young people as individuals and recognise that there is no single way to support everyone. We are fortunate to have such a wide range of organisations in Taunton, each offering something different. Whether a young person needs someone to talk to, a place to feel they belong, help to build their confidence or the chance to discover a new interest, these organisations can make a real difference.”
By supporting their work over the next three years, we are helping them provide opportunities and support that reflect the needs of young people in our community.”
Supporting wellbeing and inclusion
The successful projects include specialist support for young people who may face additional barriers to taking part in activities, accessing services or building connections with others.
Go Create CIC will develop an inclusive visual arts and creative learning group for young people aged 16 and over with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Coffee, Chat and Support CIC will establish a free weekly Sunday youth group for young people aged 11 to 18 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), providing a welcoming space to meet others.
Creative Minds Taunton CIC will continue to deliver No Girl Left Behind, a weekly wellbeing and creativity group for girls aged 11 and over, using creative activities to support their wellbeing.
State of Trust will continue its Create Chat Eat arts and wellbeing project for young people around Taunton who experience mental health challenges, including autism, ADHD, anxiety and sensory processing differences.
Somerset Counselling Centre will deliver subsidised counselling for children and young people living in Taunton, helping them access support for their emotional and mental health.
Building confidence and connections
Having someone to turn to can make a real difference as young people navigate challenges and changes in their lives.
2BU Somerset will increase its one-to-one support for LGBTQ+ young people in the Taunton area, offering more opportunities for individual support.
PROMISEworks subject to further checks, will establish six new mentoring partnerships in Taunton, helping vulnerable young people build positive relationships with mentors who can offer guidance and encouragement. The award is subject to further financial checks before funding is released.
In The Mix CIC will continue to deliver Taunton Youth Connections, a three-year programme of open access and targeted youth work for young people aged 11 to 18 living in Taunton.
Creative and outdoor opportunities
Creative activities and new experiences can help young people discover their interests, develop skills and grow in confidence.
Somerset Youth Theatre will provide a consistent, inclusive route into the arts for children and young people aged 6 to 25. The programme will include weekly sessions at Arts Hub Taunton at Flook House, alongside community projects and performances across the town.
Youth Adventure Trust will run a three-year adventure programme from 2027 to 2029, supporting 15 young people from within the Taunton Town Council area each year. Through outdoor activities and challenges, the programme aims to help participants develop confidence, resilience and life skills.
The Committee also considered an application from Taunton Youth for Christ for funding towards a proposed new Youth Hub to be located in a building belonging to Taunton Minster. The application was not approved at this stage because the hub building is yet to be renovated and the funding requested would contribute towards capital costs. The organisation was encouraged to consider applying for a Venue Grant when the next round opens in April 2027.
The Grants Committee will next meet on 16 November 2026 to consider some proposals under the Ward Members Initiative Scheme, benefitting local neighbourhoods and to discuss their budget requirements for the 2027/28 financial year.
