A CARDIGAN firm is once again backing a young people’s bursary in the Ceredigion area.

Sarnau-based West Wales Holiday Cottages has teamed up with the county council to a second year to provide a £600 bursary to young people aged 11-25 living in Ceredigion.

Explaining the idea behind the bursary, a spokesman for the company said: “The team at West Wales Holiday Cottages understand it can be difficult for young people living in rural Wales to have the opportunity to make a difference and to overcome barriers to pursue their aspirations for the future.

“Would you benefit from financial support to help you with training or equipment required for your chosen vocation? Are you looking for support to start your own enterprise or are you a member of a community group and looking for financial support to purchase resources or equipment?

Gwion Bowen, Ceredigion Youth Service’s children and young people’s participation officer, said: “We are very grateful and appreciative to West Wales Holiday Cottages for providing us with this opportunity for young people in Ceredigion again this year.

“Like ourselves, West Wales Holiday Cottages recognise that many young people living in Ceredigion may experience difficulties in accessing training, support and social activities due to socio-economic issues.

“The bursary was extremely successful last year, with two young people gaining financial support to help them with their projects. We hope that the bursary is a success again this year, and that it will benefit a young person in Ceredigion.”

Cllr Catrin Miles, cabinet member with responsibility for learning services and lifelong learning said, “It’s great to hear of opportunities like these within Ceredigion that can enable young people to pursue their aspirations.

“Ceredigion’s Youth Service received a lot of interest last year and I hope that it will receive more interest this year.”

Contact Ceredigion Youth Service for an application form. The closing date for applications is noon on February 27. Get in touch with Ceredigion Youth Service on 01545 572352 or e-mail youth@ceredigion.gov.uk