Local community groups are to get a boost as Cambridgeshire has been chosen as one of the areas to receive three years funding from the £150 million Local Network Fund for Children and Young People. The Local Network Fund enables local voluntary and community groups to tackle child poverty and provide opportunities for young people. £360,000 is available for Cambridgeshire groups to bid for in this financial year.

The Local Network Fund is a programme of the Government's Children and Young People's Unit and is administered in Cambridgeshire by Cambridgeshire ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England).

Local Network Funds are used to support local and community groups under four main themes. These are:-

• Aspiration and experiences: activities that give children experiences, or help them achieve goals, that other children may take for granted.
• Economic disadvantage: activities that help families improve their living standards and cope with the difficulties that come from being on low incomes.
• Isolation and access: activities that help children who are isolated or alone, or have trouble accessing services.
• Children’s voices: activities which give children and young people a way of expressing opinions, or to get advice on matters of concern.