A youth project in Liverpool is in the running for a national award after winning the regional heat.

Liverpool East Youth Consortium, spearheaded by housing association Riverside, won the Excellence in Youth Involvement category at the TPAS Awards, organised by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service.

The consortium – which covers Knotty Ash, West Derby and Yew Tree – was set up by Riverside in partnership with Liverpool City Council in response to local government budget cuts, which threatened existing youth services. The consortium is made up of four youth providers – Priority Youth, M & H Academy, Deysbrook Village Centre and SMARTYS (Mab Lane Youth Centre).

Sophie Heneghan, community engagement officer for Riverside, said: “Liverpool East Youth Consortium is a great example of what can be achieved through partnership working. By pooling our expertise and resources, we’ve been able to maximise opportunities for young people.

“The success of the project is not only down to the hard work of the youth workers and volunteers but also the enthusiasm of the young people themselves.

“Since it was set up 12 months ago, we’ve worked with nearly 3,000 young people, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds. By providing a positive outlet for their energy and role models they can look up to, we’ve seen many of these young people grow in confidence, make new lasting friendships and take up new hobbies.”

The Liverpool East Youth Consortium fought off stiff competition from Riverside’s in-house repairs and maintenance Evolve, which was shortlisted for its Student Rescue Scheme.

The project is now in the running for the national award, which will be announced in July.