MORE than 200 Suffolk young people will get a taste of fun and adventure this summer thanks to a scheme being run jointly by Connexions Suffolk and Suffolk County Council's Community Education Service.

MORE than 200 young people from Suffolk will get a taste of fun and adventure this summer thanks to a scheme being run jointly by Connexions Suffolk and the county council's community education service.

The lottery-funded scheme is aimed at teenagers who are leaving school without any definite plans for further education, training or work. They are being invited to take part in a range of residential and other activities intended to help develop their confidence, knowledge and skills. The activities include outdoor life and challenging activities at Thorpe Woodlands near Thetford, and in the Lake District; sailing at Brightlingsea; a multi-media course for aspiring DJs and music-lovers at Culford School; football skills at Ipswich Town Football Club and riding and stable management at Thornham, near Eye.

Richard Coker, who is organising the project, said: "We are really delighted to have secured funding from the New Opportunities Fund to run the scheme for a further three years after a very successful pilot last year. The young people who took part last year all said it was a great experience and gave them the confidence to carry them through what is a very important transition period in any young person's life."

Connexions Suffolk is the new advice service for young people linking a range of other organisations across the county to provide guidance and support on training, careers, benefits and other personal development issues.

Staff from both agencies as well as from Social Care, YMCA Training, Suffolk Young Carers and West Suffolk College will be working together to support the Summer Activities events.