Lincolnshire Action Trust needs your vote

Pictured left Laura Priestly, Young Oasis Practitioner

The Aviva Community Fund, which seeks to support projects throughout the UK, has shortlisted Lincolnshire Action Trust’s Young Oasis programme in the Supporting the Younger Generation category.

The winners will be decided following a public vote which closes on Friday, November 18. Each individual has 10 votes and can choose to use them across the board or to support a favourite project.

Alison Goddard, LAT chief executive, said: “We are overwhelmed to have been shortlisted for funding. If we’re successful it will allow us to support a further 15 children over the coming year.”

Young Oasis helps children and young people build their own resilience to cope with a parent misusing drugs or alcohol.

Lincolnshire Action Trust (LAT) staff also offer practical advice to young people about coping strategies and how to strengthen their own support network.

In May 2016, the programme was at risk of closure after Lincolnshire County Council’s public health funding ceased.

The service, which was established in 2000, has provided support to more than 100 young people aged five to 18 years in the last 12 months and has been able to continue its work thanks to private donations.

Alison added: “Most Young Oasis referrals come through schools and we see many young people within the school environment as they regard this as ‘safe’.

“Referrals have steadily increased since the end of 2015 owing to an improved awareness of the project’s work. Several of the young people we support have parents who have professional jobs, which can result in the situation being ‘hidden’, making it hard for the child to seek help.”

Support between the Young Oasis team and individual young people typically lasts between nine and 12 months, usually on a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending on their needs.

To cast your vote visit: https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/16-1536. Successful finalists will be announced on November 22 and the winners on January 10 2017.

For more information about the range of programmes being delivered by Lincolnshire Action Trust visit the new website: www.LATcharity.org.uk.