£150,000 Available for Community Projects
Gwent PCC Ian Johnston today announces his Partnership Fund is open for bids from charities, voluntary organisations and community groups involved in activities that have a positive impact on their communities. The Partnership Fund grant scheme is funded by the proceeds of crime awarded to the police and from the sale of unclaimed found property.
Groups interested in bidding for a share of the funding must be able to demonstrate the positive impact their project will have on the communities they serve, whilst at the same time contributing to delivering the Commissioner's priorities for Gwent which include reducing and preventing crime; taking more effective action to reduce anti-social behaviour and protecting people from serious harm. Groups will be able to apply for funding up to the region of £10,000.
Previous applicants to the Commissioner's Partnership Fund have already made a positive difference to the lives of people in their communities.
BRfm Community Radio station in Brynmawr were awarded £5,000 last year to provide diversionary activities for young people in the community by delivering workshops teaching them a range of new skills in broadcasting. In Risca, a grant of £3,000 enabled the Risca Street Pastors to recruit a further ten members to help reduce victims of crime and make Risca a safer place to visit. Street Pastors are volunteers from five local churches who give up their time to help people who might be in need of assistance at some point during the evenings. They work alongside the police and local authorities to promote community safety in town centres.
Gwent based charity Solas provide a broad range of services including accommodation, specialist support and training for people who are vulnerable, homeless or at risk of homelessness. A grant of £4,850 enabled them to run a series of themed workshops and activities across their homeless and supported housing schemes to help the people they support explore and develop their talents. The workshops included arts and crafts to film making, photography and creative writing courses.
Abergavenny Youth Group in Monmouthshire were also awarded £1,100 last year to involve young people and teach them a range of new life skills through a community landscape project. And the Torfaen Warriors Boxing Club were awarded £3,000 to provide diversionary activities for young members.
Urging community projects to bid for the funding, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, said: "It's fitting to see money recovered from criminals going back to benefit local communities and many projects in Gwent have already made a positive difference to their communities thanks to this funding scheme.
We recognise the vital role these projects can play in complementing the work of Gwent Police and other local partners in the community. My message is simple - if anyone has a great idea for a project which can make a positive difference to their community - we want to hear from them."
The closing date for all applications is 5pm on Monday June 30th. To find out more about how you can apply to the Partnership Fund or to download an application form, please click here or email the Commissioner's office directly on pccpartnershipfund@gwent.pnn.police.uk