A PERFORMING arts school has received a five-figure sum to support young people in need.

Denbigh Workshop, a Denbigh-based charity that combines performing arts with wellbeing skills in its youth development workshops, has been backed by £10,000 from the Community Foundation in Wales and two county councils to run free sessions for young carers and youngsters with Autism.

A total of £5,000 from the Community Foundation in Wales will allow the charity to continue its weekly youth theatre workshops for the next year.

The workshops have been running on Saturday morning for at Twm o'r Nant giving young carers aged seven to 17 the chance to have fun with people their age.

Tracy Spencer-Jones, chair of the Denbigh Workshop, said: "The workshops allow the young carers to be children for a couple of hours each week without any cares or worries.

"They have the opportunity to build friendships, as caring can be isolating, and have fun with their peers.

"They also get to be part of our 'nurture family' and have positive role models."

The funding will also enable the young carers to see one of their tutors, former West End actor Sean Jones, star in Aladdin at the Rhyl Pavilion during the Christmas holidays.

"They are over the moon," said Ms Spencer-Jones.

The charity has also received £5,000 in match funding from Denbighshire and Conwy county councils to run 10 weeks of its 'Awesome Autism' project at the Create A Smile centre for children with Autism in Towyn.

The project, which ran in Prestatyn and Old Conwy last year, aims to use drama to improve communication and self-esteem of seven to 16 year olds in north Wales.

Ms Spencer-Jones said: "This year we're delighted to be at Create A Smile in Towyn.

"To see the confidence grow in these young people in a nurturing environment is what it is all about.

"In small groups they get to be creative and have fun with drama, learn from each other, work as a team and be independent."

For more information on Denbigh Workshop's projects, or to make a donation contact Tracy Spencer-Jones by emailing thedenbighworkshop@gmail.com