Community groups receive funding from Gwent Commissioner and High Sheriff

25th March 2013

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, and the High Sheriff, Elizabeth Murray made the money available to local groups who are involved in promoting and supporting community safety, crime prevention, youth diversion as well as tackling drugs and alcohol abuse. Each group had just a few short minutes to sell their project to all of those present at the 'Your Voice, Your Choice' event on Saturday (23rd March).

After each presentation, the other groups scored their bids and all of the results were added up at the end of the event. Those with the highest scores received the funding.

This included:

  • Blaenavon Pact Youth Panel - £1901
  • Bullies Out - £1264
  • Cwmbran Centre for Young People (CCYP) - £1875
  • Duffryn Community Link - £2500
  • G-Expressions - £2250
  • Kids R Us - £2380
  • Maesglas United Association Football Club - £1000
  • RASCAL - £2500
  • Solas Monmouthshire Young Persons Scheme - £1750
  • The Kaleidoscope Project - £1956
  • Tredegar Amateur Boxing - £2500
  • Tredegar Community Youth CafÌ© - £2500
  • Woodlands Field Group - £2500
  • Your Way Project - YMCA - £2500

This is the third year that the 'Your Voice, Your Choice' event has run. Police and Crime Commissioner, Ian Johnston, said: "There are countless community groups working hard to provide diversionary and supportive services to residents all across Gwent, helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The work that they do is vital to many people and I am pleased that I have been able to provide some funding and hopefully helped them to continue to prosper."

High Sheriff, Elizabeth Murray, said: "During my year in office I have seen many good works done in Gwent by small charities and volunteers, focussing on the young and victims of crime. This event gave numerous charities an opportunity to gain funding for more projects, which will bring help and some joy to a few of the poorest communities in our county. I am delighted that almost £30,000 was given to local charitable projects on Saturday."

Liza Kellett, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation in Wales, said: "As the Community Foundation for Wales, our job is to show that together, we can make a difference in communities. The past, current and future High Sheriffs are true philanthropists. They give their time and skills to fundraise in aid of their fund and to make grants available to inspirational community-based projects, which reduce crime and build community safety. It is a great pleasure to work in partnership with the High Sheriff of Gwent and Gwent Police to manage grant investments to such impressive local projects. "

Half of the funding was provided from the Gwent Police Property Fund, which is raised from the sale of property and cash seized from criminals, as well as the disposal of unclaimed lost property. The other half of the funding came from the Gwent High Sheriff's Community Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation in Wales. This fund is made available each year as a result of the High Sheriff organising charitable events during their year of office.