A GROUP which helps foster new friendships and create paths into employment for young people has scooped £28,152 funding.

Exploring Senses CIC, based at Kings Road Arches, Brighton, works with youngsters aged eight to 19.

The money is coming from the People’s Health Trust, using money raised through the Health Lottery in the South East.

The grant will be used to deliver weekly “MakerLab” sessions for young people in Brighton.

Individuals will have the opportunity to make physical and digital objects through arts, crafts, science, design and technology.

The project is shaped by participants through a steering group and aims to support individuals to build friendships and learn new skills, through the creative arts.

The MakerLab project is the continuation of a successful pilot.

David Allistone, director at Exploring Senses CIC, said: “Thanks to this funding, we are able to provide new exciting opportunities for local young people to learn about new possible career pathways.

“This includes the latest cutting edge digital technologies, arts, crafts, science, engineering and maths within the Exploring Senses Young Inventors Centre maker space project.

“We are very excited about this and so are the young people.”

Exploring Senses CIC was founded in October 2011 and is a not-for-profit community arts organisation.

It works in partnership with communities helping children, young people, families and adults to learn new skills and knowledge by participating in activities, which combine arts, crafts, technology, language and science.

It aims to help individuals build relationships, learn new skills and creates paths into employment through informal, creative learning.

More can be found at www.exploringsenses.co.uk

Chris Lunn, director of Health Lottery South East, said: “We are delighted that money raised by Health Lottery South East is helping to support such an important local project.”

Grass roots charities in the South East will benefit from Health Lottery tickets sold until August 31.

The Health Lottery is an independent British lottery scheme with a difference.

It manages multiple lotteries which operate under the banner of the Health Lottery.

Each lottery is licensed by the Gambling Commission and represents a different region of Great Britain.

People’s Health Trust is an independent charity investing in local neighbourhoods.