YOUTH clubs in Somerset have received a welcome boost after the county council distributed almost £40,000 in grants.

Somerset County Council has given £38,000 to 13 youth clubs from across the county, and the funds will be matched by more than £56,000 in locally raised funding.

In South Somerset, the Hamdons Youth Group was awarded £3,000 towards the cost of employing a youth worker for their youth club and outreach work in Stoke Sub Hamdon; Tintinhull Parish Council was awarded £885 towards a worker for their Wednesday youth club; and £3,250 went to Martock Parish Council towards the youth work costs for their youth club sessions.

Cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Frances Nicholson, said: “We understand the importance of helping communities sustain their own youth provision and I’m delighted that we are able to provide grant aid, adding to money raised by and in the communities themselves.

“It is also very important to recognise the contribution of local volunteers for a lot of these clubs as, without these, many youth clubs would fail to thrive.”

Beneficiaries include Evercreech Youth Club, Cannington Parish Council, Martock Parish Council and Stogursey Youth Club.”

If you or someone you know has attended a youth club and experienced a volunteer working there who always goes above and beyond, why not nominate them for a Somerset Star Volunteer Award?

Nominations are welcome for individuals and volunteer groups up to Tuesday 1 March until Friday, April 29 2016 – You can nominate a ‘Star Volunteer’ online on the Somerset Celebrating Volunteering website at go to www.scvolunteering.com or for more information, contact your local Volunteer Centre.