THE Door Youth Project has been awarded a £10,000 grant to help tackle long-term unemployment.

The grant, from national awarding organisation apt awards, will be used to employ a team of qualified and experienced teachers and youth workers, responsible for delivering training programmes.

Christine Bullock, chief executive of apt awards, said: "Operating as a social enterprise means that social, educational and environmental purposes are at the heart of what we do, and we are delighted to support the social enterprise activities of our approved centres."

The project at the Door will especially target those 18-year-olds and older who are at risk of a life of long-term unemployment.

Door chief executive Brendan Conboy said: "It is so frustrating to be able to see what needs to be done to help young people but not have the resources to do it.

"This funding will help us to engage with some of those that are 18 plus and help them to move closer to employment. If we can reduce long-term unemployment, we also reduce a long-term drain on the public purse."