The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has invested almost £7.2m in a social action support service launched by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) to encourage young people to "change things for the better".

The initiative, known as Fixers, launched with the support of ITV, gives young people aged 16-25 support in setting up projects that will help tackle the issues they feel strongly about. 

The BIG award of £7,197,907 will assist PSBT in scaling-up the scheme, with an aim of involving 21,000 new 'Fixers' over a period of four years. The initiative has already seen 5,000 young people involved and 600 Fixers projects launched creating workshops, films, publications and other campaign materials to take the campaigns to Fixers' peers.

Margo Horsley, chief executive of the PSBT said she had been "humbled" by the efforts of the young Fixers and thanked BIG on their behalf for helping to grow the initiative. 

Peter Ainsworth, BIG chief executive said: "Fixers has already proven that it can make a difference to young people within their communities by creating innovative campaigns that address issues of their choosing whilst helping change negative stereotypes. 

"BIG is extremely pleased to enable Fixers to engage with many more young people through its expansion across the UK."