LOCAL ROTARIANS SUPPORT VITAL YOUTH WORK

Totnes Rotarians have given their support to a local project which has been supporting young people through the pandemic. The Totnes Rural Area Youth Engagement (TRAYE) scheme was started in 2016 in response to the reduction in youth facilities provided by Devon County Council. There are now six local parishes involved: Totnes, Marldon, Staverton, Harberton, Rattery and Buckfastleigh.

Before the lockdown, the group was involved in outreach work engaging young people in rural areas by running youth clubs and group activities for 8 to 18-year olds as well as offering support for their health and well-being.

Nearly 400 young people are now linked to the project and youth worker Kerry McCabe told a virtual meeting of Totnes Rotarians how, during the lockdown, TRAYE had switched to online meetings to combat potential isolation .

Rotary President Alison Bull presented chair and founder of the project,  Totnes Mayor Jacqi Hodgson with a cheque for £500. The money will be shared by the individual parishes to continue the vital work of the project. Ian Bentlett, youth lead for Totnes Rotary said, “the next few months will continue to be challenging for young people and we are delighted to be able to provide our support to TRAYE”.