It’s quiz time for pupils at four local schools under a project launched to tackle lockdown loneliness amongst the young.

St Thomas’ Community Association is organising a schools quiz starting next Thursday (March 11) based on the TV programme University challenge.

Four academies; The Link, Pegasus, St James and Beacon Hill will go head to head.

Each school will put forward a team of five from years 9 and 10.

Participants will answer quick fire general knowledge questions individually and as a team, and the four teams will face each other once with a school trophy up for grabs for the overall winner.

The competition will be hosted by Sophia Daly, Dudley College Student Development Officer who has been running an online quiz for college students since the first lockdown.

Mrs Deborah Underhill, Arts and Photography Teacher at St James’s Academy said “I have sat in many of the online sessions and young people enjoy participating, learning new skills, engaging with each other and growing in confidence. I am excited about the quiz challenge.”

The Association launched Project Connect during children’s mental health week 4 weeks ago to tackle loneliness and social isolation amongst young people.

It has been delivering online sessions such as film making, photography, art, dance, fitness, open mic and growing food sessions.

As well as local the sessions have attracted participants from across the globe including South Africa, Germany, Brazil, USA and Pakistan, A Let’s Talk event was facilitated with police, ward councillors and local residents.

Cllr Shaukat Ali said “We are half way through Project Connect and I am pleased that it has taken off really well with local young people as well as from across the world participating.”

Funding for Project Connect has been supported by West Midlands Police Crime Commissioners Active Citizens Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund and Heart of England Community Foundation