AN AWARD of over £100,000 has been given to a Hounslow youth project to allow them to continue serving the community for the next three years.

The Good Shepherd Community Youth Project, which covers the Hounslow West area, has received the award from the Community Fund, one of the six charities that helps fund the project's work.

The award, totalling £105,780, will be partially used to purchase a 16 seat minibus to be used by the many groups linked with the project.

The Youth Project has also signed a service level agreement with the London Borough of Hounslow to provide integrated youth services on the Beavers Estate, focusing on groups up to the age of 11.

The new funding will also help to cover the rental of property for the youth worker, Captain Tom Hughes, and his family.

The Good Shepherd group also provide a place for drop-in sessions involving the police, Hounslow Racial Equality Council, Hounslow Homes, and local councillors.

A legal advice session is also held for three hours every Monday, starting at around 1.30pm.

However, once the funding runs out in three years time the project will have to fund itself so volunteers are currently being trained by the borough to gain appropriate qualifications.