Funding available to support children and young people
Funding available to support children and young people
Organisations in Gwent can bid for a share of £300,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office to fund projects that support children and young people affected by crime.
The Police Community Fund is open to non-profit organisations that support children and young people who are involved, or at risk of becoming involved, in crime and antisocial behaviour, or those who have been victims of crime.
The fund is partly made up from money seized from criminals, and organisations can bid for sums from £10,000 up to £50,000.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “Children and young people are often the most vulnerable people in our communities and this can put them at risk of becoming involved in crime and antisocial behaviour.
“By supporting organisations that offer positive, diversionary activities for young people, helping them to develop confidence, skills and learning, we can help them to realise their full potential and create safer, more cohesive communities.”
For more information on the Police Community Fund criteria and application process please visit the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner website.
The deadline for applications is Friday 2 October.
Case study – Urban Circle
Urban Circle is an independent youth arts organisation based in Newport.
Since 2018 the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent has contributed funding to Urban Circle’s U-Turn project which uses the creative arts to tackle social problems affecting young people.
The funding of about £50k a year from the Police Community Fund pays for a project leader, engagement officer and youth worker to put on a series of events throughout the year.
As well as experience planning major events, the young people involved in the U-Turn Project are gaining qualifications in areas such as youth work, sports, stewarding and first aid, which are helping them to get paid work.
They have hosted some notable events at key times of the year. A Halloween event in 2018 saw a huge drop in the recorded incidents of ASB in Newport that evening, while a two-day ‘Summer Fest’ at Tredegar House in 2019 attracted hundreds of young people and families from across Gwent.
Loren Henry, co-founder of Urban Circle, said: “The Police Community Fund has been invaluable to us.
“It has enabled us to support hundreds of young people in Newport to learn new skills, make new friends, build their confidence, and gain qualifications. Most importantly it has allowed us to create opportunities for young people to channel their energy into positive, creative activities and give something back to their communities.”