IMPROVED skills training and better mental health facilities for young people are just two of the priorities highlighted by local people in Wellington and West Somerset under a new government initiative.

Community and voluntary groups in 120 areas around the country had been asked to identify issues affecting them so future services and spending can be better targeted.

The ‘Our Place’ scheme involved consultation with various groups including charities, police, GPs, children’s and voluntary agencies. Each area then compiled a report outlining their priorities.

In Wellington, priorities identified included building up support for families and young people and improving mental health facilities especially in more rural areas.

In West Somerset, the main issues were seen as better connections between people and employers and more skills-based training.

Andrew Govier, who helped compile the Wellington report, said: “One of the issues that kept coming up was the lack of support for young people with mental health issues. Another priority was helping people get into employment.

“By identifying these aims, we can be better placed to meet the needs of our communities in the future.”

A spokesperson for the West Somerset report added: “Unemployment and skills were our main focus especially helping people prepare for work.

“One way to achieve this could be more community based services such as employment hubs in Watchet and Williton which could be run by volunteers.”

Leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr John Osman, said: “It’s fantastic to see pro-active, forward-thinking community groups taking matters into their own hands to improve their local areas.

“The energy and ‘can-do’ attitude we’ve witnessed in Somerset’s Our Place schemes is testament to the independent and motivated spirit of our county’s residents.

“Somerset County Council is one of many organisations and agencies giving support to the teams behind Somerset’s hard-working Our Place projects, including hosting the projects’ regional Peer Learning Hub.

“We’re proud to support these projects, alongside our local authority colleagues.

“What’s more, Our Place’s ambition is mirrored in our County Plan – of helping individuals and communities to help themselves, to volunteer and take control of services they believe are important to them.”