YOUNG people in Hampshire are urged to get involved with an urban design group after it received a £3,000 windfall.

The Space, Placemaking and Urban Design (SPUD) Youth group has been boosted by the donation thanks to the Barker-Mill Foundation.

The cash will go towards securing premises for workshops focusing on getting young people involved in urban design and architecture.

Young people gathered at the LHC Architects offices in Canute Road, Southampton, for a workshop paying attention to WestQuay’s Watermark development at WestQuay 3.

They travelled for a tour of the proposed site following a talk before returning to Canute Road to discuss their findings.

Principal associate Mark Drury, who started the organisation with colleague Philip Smith, said: “It’s great to watch the young people establish a team mentality, and to give them a voice within that team.

“SPUD gives them a chance to come up with their own ideas and get to know developers and practice as well as having an opinion on important decisions being made in their own community.”

The Barker-Mill Foundation funding follows a £5,000 grant from PUSH: Partnership for Urban South Hampshire, £500 from Winchester City Council, and £638 from CH Design Partnership, which went towards two iPads.

Barker-Mill Foundation trustee Tim Jobling said: “It is so important to give these young individuals the chance to have a say on what goes on in their area. The work done by SPUD Youth gives young people a role in their local decision making, not to mention the valuable contribution they are making to the community.

“The Barker-Mill Foundation is thrilled to be involved in such a worthwhile programme. The powerfully positive response is a result of the hard work put in by those who run the workshops and we are pleased to be able to help them to do this.”

To get involved, make a donation about SPUD Youth visit dailyecho.co.uk or visit spudgroup.org.uk for more information.