A SERIES of launch events are being held to introduce funding opportunities for children and young people.

The events have been set up by the authority's Extended Services in and around schools team to highlight the Positive Opportunities Worcestershire (POW) fund, which is available to support children and young people whose parents may not be able to afford activities.

Taking place throughout January, the sessions precede the allocation of POW funding across Worcestershire from April 2010 and will also give an overview of what POW is, timescales for implementation, who is eligible and how to go about applying for a slice of the fund.

The POW roll-out follows a successful pilot which ran throughout Redditch earlier this year.

Hannah Needham, Worcestershire County Council's extended services operational manager, said: "Following the successful pilot project in Redditch, POW funding will be available to all schools throughout the county from April 2010.

"The POW launch events for providers are to give people running positive activities for children and young people in Worcestershire the opportunity to find out more about the funding.

“Providers attending the events in Redditch earlier this year gave us really positive feedback and found the sessions useful and informative."

A session takes place on January 22 at the Bishops Wood Centre in Stourport, from 1pm to 2.30pm. Another takes place on January 25 at the Hundred House Hotel in Great Witley from 1pm to 2.30pm.

For further information contact the council's extended services in and around schools team on 01905 728719 or by emailing rcash@worcestershire.gov.uk