Money will be donated to supporting young people with education, training and employment.

It has today been announced that £1.6 million will be donated to seven Norfolk charities.

The money will go to charities which support young people with education, training, and employment.

A total of around £1,660,900 will be donated to charities involved in the 'On Track' Partnership.

This includes project leaders The Matthew Project, as well as their partners at YMCA Norfolk, ACE, NANSA, Norwich and Central Norfolk Mind, Gyros (Great Yarmouth) and The Princes' Trust.

The funds have come from the Building Better Opportunities programme, in conjunction with the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund.

Delivery of the partnership will begin in January 2017, and will create 12 new jobs in the county.

The lead charity in the On Track Partnership was the Matthew Project, who are drug and alcohol recovery specialists.

Paul Martin, CEO of the Matthew Project, said: 'It is a significant and life-changing project for young people trapped with a poverty of opportunity due to health, addiction and other social problems.

'On Track will provide a new way out of severe social and economic deprivation which is a great benefit to the whole community, to families and those who will participate.'

'Our first focus is on recruiting a brilliant team to turn the plans into a reality. We need young people coaches, admin staff and volunteer mentors. We also need to speak to businesses who want to recruit from a diverse talent pool.

'For the 18-24 age group, the primary aim will be for project participants to enter sustainable employment as quickly as possible.

'The priority for 16-17 year olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) is to get them back into education or work-based training.'

For more information about the On Track project, and to find out more about the new roles, visit: the Matthew Project website, email hr@matthewproject.org or phone 01603 626 123.