Vulnerable young people will be provided sporting activities thanks to £1,000 worth of funding from the Phoenix Trust.

The funding will provide young people who live in supported accommodation the chance to enjoy sessions of badminton, squash, table tennis, basketball and five-a-side football in the sports hall at the Cirencester Leisure Centre.

The leisure centre is managed by Everyone Active who has offered discounted rates for these activities.

Phoenix Trust, who are based in Cirencester, will pledge £1,000 per year to finance the activities for young people who receive support from the Cirencester Housing for Young People charity.

Commenting on the funding, the Phoenix Trust Chair of Trustees Peter Jay said: “We are delighted to be able to collaborate with both CHYP and Everyone Active at Cirencester Leisure Centre, in helping young people with emotional and financial difficulties.”

Andrea North, general manager of the Everyone Active Cirencester Leisure Centre, added: “We are delighted to work with the Phoenix Trust and help support CHYP.

"Thanks to the Phoenix Trust we will be able to offer a range of fun sporting activities to these well deserving young people.

"This provides them with a chance to improve their wellbeing, get themselves a little fitter, make some new friends and - hopefully – acquire the confidence to improve their quality of life as they develop into mature adulthood."

Luanne Bond of CHYP was very grateful for the support from both organisations.

She said: “This is great news for the people we support. Most of them have been made homeless because of family break-ups, experiences of abuse or through leaving care.

"Many also have problems such as mental health issues or learning difficulties. CHYP provides them with the practical and emotional support they require and having these sporting activities will be of immense value in helping them learn to make their own way in the world.”