YOUNG international arrivals to Bolton will champion their new community and help new immigrants to adapt, under a new scheme.

Members of “new and emerging” communities will be encouraged to play a part in their neighbourhood through becoming volunteers.

And 10 young people will be identified to become “champions of the community” and lead a project in their area.

Bolton Council is working with BSCA, formerly known as New Bolton Somali Community Association, which supports those who have recently arrived in the borough, and youth services in Halliwell, to provide activities for the young immigrants as well as information and support on crime prevention, housing, employment, immigration and health.

The communities being targeted include Somali, Oromo, Eritrean, Kurdish and the established black minority ethnic groups.

Those chosen will be taken on a residential course where they will receive training while getting to know each other and learning how to work together.

A report outlining the scheme says: “The young people have not been involved much in community activity; the reasons that they have highlighted have been that they have not been aware of volunteer opportunities as most are new arrivals to Bolton.

“The project aims to provide activities for these young people to increase their awareness of volunteering.”

Following the trip, the 10 will design and co-ordinate a “community volunteering project” which they will carry out in Halliwell.

The project will run up to spring of next year.

A council spokesman said: “We are looking to make sure that new international arrivals are fully able to access opportunities available to them across the borough, with a focus on Halliwell.

“Young people will be able to take part in activities to increase their awareness of volunteering and to learn life skills such as team building, mentoring and project work.

“They will also have the chance to learn more about education, crime prevention, housing, employment, immigration and health.

“This will be a great opportunity for these young people to become fully involved in their new community, and will also enhance the lives of young people who have been in Bolton for longer, as they interact with young people from different backgrounds and cultures.”