A £7,000 GRANT has been awarded to Bovey Tracey Youth Action from town councillors to support its work with young people.

Its Youth Cafe was among recipients of almost £16,000 handed out to community groups by the town council.

Councillors heard from Bovey Youth Action Operations Manager Jez Butcher who reported an increasing demand for its services.

He said one of the reasons for the Youth Cafe having to offer more was a reduction in the support once provided by Devon County Council and other official bodies.

Bullying and the increasing use of ‘weed vapes’ were common issues, the latter particularly worrying as they are cheap, readily available and can contain toxic substances.

‘It’s a massive issue,’ said Mr Butcher.

‘There is no other youth service of this ilk.

‘You need to fight and you need to complain to get the services you need as a voluntary organisation.

‘We can’t fix everything, we can’t wave a magic wand, but the young people of Bovey Tracey and Heathfield deserve somewhere they can get these things.’

An increasing number of children were either not receiving the correct type of education or had left the school system entirely.

The group has extended its offer to 18-year-olds and hopes to increase the number of evenings the cafe opens from two to three.

As many as 40 youngsters attend each session with 25 to 35 being commonplace.

One of the most valued aspects of the cafe, members heard, was a safe space in which the youngsters could discuss personal problems.

Also in line for a financial boost is Teignbridge Citizens Advice whose request for £5,363 was approved.

A further £1,500 will go to Moorland Community Caring for projects such as the older people’s support Hub at the Methodist Hall, £1,028 was allocated to the Bovey Tracey Information Centre and £940 to Better Places CIC, the group which offers free children’s holiday activities.

Members of the council’s Finance, Resources and General Purposes Committee approved the payments.