YOUNG people have been given the chance to make things better.

They have been offered projects to benefit the community - thanks to funding from innovative grant schemes Kids Count and Make a Change.

The two schemes are run by Involving Young Citizens Equally (IYCE), part of Kirklees Young People's Service.

They offer up to £1,000 to groups of two or more children who can come up with a good idea to benefit the community.

A further group of children or young people discuss the applications and approve them.

The pupils of Slaithwaite CE Junior and Infant School council applied to Kids Count for money to buy gardening equipment for its newly-built allotments.

Children are successfully growing a variety of fruit and vegetables there.

Salsero dance group applied to Kids Count for funding to pay a tutor to teach them salsa dancing.

They hold sessions at the Rumboat, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, each Saturday afternoon.

Meltham Young Mums is a new support group which was successful in applying for funding from Make a Change to allow members to visit a well- established young mums' group in London.

It hopes to share ideas in order to develop the support group further and avoid the feelings of isolation sometimes experienced by young mums.

Clr Geoff Alvy, who has responsibility for children's services on Kirklees Council's cabinet, said: "These grant schemes offer children and young people a unique opportunity to use their own ideas to enhance the community.

"A group of children and young people decide which grant applications are successful.

"It all helps them to develop confidence, learn new skills and take on responsibility."

More groups of children across Kirklees are invited to apply for their own grants to run their own schemes.

Applications are welcome in various formats, including tape, video, storyboard, pictures, application form or by an interview with a member of the IYCE team.

Anyone who would like an application pack or further information should contact Ruth Brabiner at Kids Count or Alice Nash at Make a Change on 01484 223603 or write to: IYCE Programme, Brian Jackson House, New North Parade, Huddersfield.