A TRUST in Worcester which has helped thousands of people find inspiration is launching a bid get more youngsters into employment.

Worcester Community Trust says it will focus on young adults not in employment, education or training, known as NEETS, as it gears up for a bumper 2013.

The body, which exisits on charitable donations and public sector funding, has published data showing just how much it has benefited the city in recent months.

Between September and December last year 3,745 young people got involved with the range of activities arranged by the trust.

It includes sessions on personal development, safety from crime, sexual health, and everything from community centre-based games to football matches.

During the four-month period 18 Saturday play clubs took place around the city, which included messy play, creative classes and physical games, such as climbing.

It wasn’t just children who have gained from the trust – the sessions included five community Christmas meals across Warndon, Tolladine and Ronkswood and a fireworks night in Brickfields attended by 8,500 people. Edd Terrey, service development manager at the trust, appeared before the city council’s scrutiny committee to spell out what it was hoping to achieve next.

“Getting the right strategy in place is crucial for us, we recognise the diverse communities across Worcester and are looking for opportunities all the time,” he said.

“What we are looking at doing long-term is reducing the number of people who are NEETS so we can help bring down anti-social behaviour.”

During the debate he also said the trust was bidding for £1.2 million from a mystery public sector source which if successful, would contribute towards a project giving advice to NEETS. Councillors urged him to make sure the trust can show evidence of how its work benefits people.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, leader of the Labour group, said: “The drivers for this trust are diverse, on one hand it was set up for Warndon and Gorse Hill area, but another is the failure of the city council to deliver community centre work, and another is the county council’s failure over youth provision.”