A NEW project is to be launched to help lonely youngsters in Southampton thanks to a £70,000 grant.

No Limits is to launch a new scheme for vulnerable young people this month, thanks to the grant from the #iwill Fund, which is delivered by Co-op Foundation.

The project is expected to support more than 200 young people who suffer high levels of loneliness due to complex issues in their lives.

The charity hopes to help youngsters to engage in social action to tackle loneliness for themselves and their peers.

Annabel Hodgson, chief executive of No Limits, said: “This is an exciting new project which tackles head on the rising problem of loneliness among young people.

“By inviting young people to take part in social action – be it fundraising, campaigning or volunteering – we are empowering them to make a change for themselves and others. I look forward to seeing how the young people grow in confidence as they take part in these activities.”

After the two-year project, it is hoped that many young people will understand more about loneliness and youth workers will be better equipped to tackle it.

The #iwill Fund is a £40 million joint investment from the Big Lottery Fund, using National Lottery funding, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.

Jim Cooke, head of the Co-op Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be funding such innovative projects today through the #iwill Fund that will help increase young people’s skills and confidence.”