Gwent Community Groups Share £40k

24th March 2014

The 'Your Voice, Your Choice' event is funded through the Gwent High Sheriffs' Community Fund, which has received a significant contribution from commissioning monies held by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston.

The money was made 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 (22nd 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:

  • Abertillery Street Pastors - £797
  • Alway and Ringland Amateur Boxing Club - £2,900
  • Bullies Out - £2,500
  • Coed Eva & Hollybush Community Hall Youth Group - £2,900
  • Duffryn Community Link - £3,000
  • G-Expressions - £3,000
  • Kids R Us - £2,300
  • Kings Arms Around the Valleys - £2,500
  • Pillgwenlly Millennium Centre Trust - £1,220
  • Ringland Community Association - £2,100
  • Senghenydd Youth Drop in Centre - £2,900
  • Spencer Boys Junior Youth Football Club - £2,000
  • The CoStar Partnership - £3,000
  • The Kaleidoscope Project - £1,400
  • The Zone - £2,900
  • Tredegar Community Youth CafÌ© - £3,000
  • Woodlands Field Group - £1,583


This is the fourth year that the 'Your Voice, Your Choice' event has run.

High Sheriff, Murray MacFarlane, said: "Small, local charities need our full support if needy young people are to receive the help so many require. The money the Gwent High Sheriffs' raise along with the vital contribution by the police form an essential part of this support. Yesterday's grant day brings home just how hard volunteers work and how committed charities are to help young people and their local communities. It was an uplifting experience for everyone involved."

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, 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."

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 the Police and Crime Commissioner to manage grant investments to such impressive local projects. "

The Gwent High Sheriff's Community Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation in Wales, is made available each year as a result of the High Sheriff organising charitable events during their year of office.

For more information about Your Voice, Your Choice' events, please visit the Gwent High Sheriff's website www.ghscf.org.uk/fund-news