Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES)
Our Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) is focused on giving young people in the areas which have seen the highest levels of violence and the biggest cuts to youth services access to better opportunities to prevent them getting involved in trouble.
We know that by investing in our young people, by giving them engaging, positive, fun opportunities, we can prevent them from going down the wrong path, keep them safe and help them to reach their full potential.
Through the Youth Empowerment Scheme, Merseyside’s Police Commissioner and Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP) are saying YES to brighter futures for young people across our region.
The Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) was first launched in May 2024 with the aim of unlocking the potential of thousands of young people across the region by providing safe, positive opportunities.
The money is focused in areas of Merseyside which have seen the highest levels of violence and the biggest cuts to youth services, with the aim of keeping young people safe and supported and helping to steer them away from trouble.
This year, the fund is bigger than ever with £600,000 available for community projects that offer diversionary activities, particularly those that include arts, culture, digital skills and sports to support young people aged under 25.
Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available for projects running throughout the year, with a focus on times when issues can traditionally increase, such as during the summer holidays and the autumn half term when young people are not in school and there may be little for them to do.
YES Fund 2026/27 – Successful applicants:
Knowsley
Evolving Mindset CIC – A targeted, place-based early intervention programme focused on reducing youth violence and antisocial behaviour. The project offers structured diversionary activities during high-risk periods while helping young people build resilience, confidence, and positive support networks. Award: £24,765
Halewood Youth In Community Centre – Recruitment of qualified sessional staff to deliver a varied programme of youth activities, providing safe, supervised environments and consistent engagement opportunities for local young people. Award: £9,155
Karma in the Community – Delivery of digital skills programmes for at-risk young people, helping them develop practical technical abilities alongside confidence, engagement, and future employability pathways. Award: £25,000
The Eco Therapy Garden CIC – A youth-led creative wellbeing project, using outdoor and nature-based activities to improve mental health, build self-esteem, and encourage positive peer interaction. Award: £25,000
Liverpool
Beautiful New Beginnings – A comprehensive safety, prevention, and diversion programme, with enhanced provision during school holidays, offering structured activities to reduce risk of antisocial behaviour and improve wellbeing. Award: £25,000
Merseyside Domestic Violence Services – An early intervention programme working with boys and young men to challenge harmful attitudes, including misogyny, and promote healthy relationships and respectful behaviours. Award: £18,000
The Lodge Holistic and Beauty Spa CIC – Inclusive, trauma-informed wellbeing programmes combining creative activities with holistic support, alongside family-focused wraparound services to improve overall wellbeing. Award: £25,000
Al Ghazali Multicultural Centre – Delivery of mixed martial arts sessions aimed at engaging young people from diverse communities, promoting discipline, physical health, and positive social interaction. Award: £17,112
Bronte Youth & Community Centre – Outreach work to identify and engage at-risk young people, alongside the provision of a late-night safe space where young people can access support and activities. Award: £14,158
Norris Green Community Alliance – Continuation of an established early intervention programme for younger children, aiming to prevent antisocial behaviour through structured activities and consistent mentoring support. Award: £24,090
Pars Community – A broad programme of engagement including sports, arts and digital skills, designed to divert young people from negative behaviours and support personal development. Award: £25,000
Sports Alive North West – Detached youth work delivered directly within communities, combined with structured diversionary activities designed to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. Award: £23,540
Squash Liverpool CIC – An extended out-of-school programme addressing social isolation and low self-esteem through sport and structured enrichment activities, supporting positive peer engagement. Award: £24,975
Tiber Community Building – A youth-led programme combining football with creative and digital skills development, helping young people build confidence, skills, and positive future pathways. Award: £25,000
Unistar Youth & Community Ltd – A youth empowerment programme using creative activities and leadership development to support young people at risk of violence, social exclusion, and poor mental health. Award: £22,478
Walton Youth Project – A targeted intervention programme addressing violence, gang involvement, and antisocial behaviour while supporting young people to build confidence and make positive life choices. Award: £23,233
Sefton
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association – A youth empowerment and violence prevention programme focused on engaging young people in Bootle, supporting integration and reducing vulnerability. Award: £20,000
Autism Ventures – A specialist support programme for autistic young people, helping reduce social isolation and vulnerability through tailored activities and structured support. Award: £8,378
Brunswick Youth and Community Centre – Structured sports provision for young people across age groups, promoting physical health alongside positive engagement and teamwork. Award: £15,414
Community By Nature – Outdoor “forest play” sessions designed to improve wellbeing, confidence, and connection to nature among younger children. Award: £24,874
Hotshots Coaching CIC – School holiday provision delivering tennis and boxing sessions, offering positive and active alternatives during key risk periods. Award: £16,469
Parenting 2000 – Structured diversionary activities and sports programmes for vulnerable young people, focused on reducing risk-taking behaviours and improving resilience. Award: £25,000
St Helens
Park Farm ACYP Centre – A combination of after-school provision and intensive one-to-one support for high-risk young people, offering consistent engagement and tailored interventions. Award: £25,000
Reach Rainhill CIC – Weekly and holiday-based programmes providing structured support and safe activities for young people at risk of antisocial behaviour. Award: £25,000
St Marks Church Haydock – A programme of youth activities delivered across several months, providing safe spaces, social opportunities, and skills development for young people. Award: £4,845
Wirral
BALANCE 555 CIC – Wellbeing-focused sessions combined with a leadership development programme for girls, supporting confidence and personal growth. Award: £9,815
Behind Bars Calisthenics Academy CIC – Calisthenics training sessions alongside leadership opportunities, promoting discipline, fitness, and positive engagement. Award: £6,024
Hatch Merseyside – Delivery of the “Elevate Programme,” supporting neurodivergent young people through wellbeing activities and education around risks such as criminal exploitation. Award: £23,625
Open Door Charity – Structured activities aimed at providing alternatives to risk-taking behaviours, especially for young people already engaged in wellbeing services. Award: £20,000
Women’s Enterprising Breakthrough – An empowerment programme for young women, focusing on confidence-building, skills development, and reducing vulnerability among those considered at risk. Award: £24,050