New space at *Scape to give a leg-up to over 3,000 disadvantaged young people

A new youth space in the heart of town is aiming to support more than 3,000 disadvantaged young people over the next three years, and give them a leg-up in their career.

- Gabrielle Chan

Located in the revamped *Scape in Orchard Road, The Trampoline will be home to mentoring programmes for young people, and act as a place for them to network, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo on July 4.

The space is a partnership between *Scape and local social mobility charity Access Singapore, and is part of broader efforts to develop the Somerset Belt as a vibrant youth precinct, he said during a launch event of the space.

"Going forward, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) wants to create more spaces and empower youth... to take the lead and make a difference," Mr Neo said.

In line with this, *Scape will introduce a new grant to give funding support of up to $1,000 to young people who run projects around the Somerset Belt that do good for the community, he added.

The fund, called Grant for Good, will be launched on Aug 1, and will support 60 projects over the next year. More information will be shared closer to the launch date.

Like the young people of the past, those today will have to overcome challenges and take Singapore forward, said Mr Neo.