Grants totalling £72,490 given to community groups across Gwent at this year’s Your Voice, Your Choice event

‘Your Voice, Your Choice’ is a partnership between the Gwent High Sheriffs’ Community Fund, the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Gwent and Community Foundation Wales, awarding grants of up to £5,000 to community groups across Gwent.

The Gwent High Sheriffs’ Community Fund works to build safer communities in Gwent by supporting projects that mentor and inspire young people to fulfil their potential.

High Sheriff of Gwent, Phillip Alderman, said: “It was so good to be able to be able to host Your Voice Your Choice as a face-to-face event on Saturday. All of the groups were outstanding and really seemed to enjoy being able to network again. Community groups meeting in a venue at the heart of its community is what Your Voice Your Choice tries to promote.

“The awards made will hopefully allow all of the projects to grow and continue to make our community a better, safer and happier place to live.”

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent contributes £65,000 to the scheme. Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “I am committed to enabling children and young people to live happier, healthier lives, free from the fear of crime.

“By supporting the Gwent High Sheriff’s Fund we are helping to ensure that grassroots community groups are getting essential funding to support the young people in their area.

“It was fantastic to see the commitment, dedication and drive of so many groups working to make a difference to the young people in their communities, and I am pleased that all were able to receive funding that will help them to take their projects forward.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Wales, said: “It was great to be able to bring the groups together in person this year. Once again, community organisations in Gwent showcased their amazing projects that are helping to improve the lives of people in their local community.

“Your Voice, Your Choice provides a platform for community groups to share their stories, often through the words of the people they are helping. It puts the power in the hands of local people to prioritise solutions to local issues.

“We want to thank everyone who joined us and took part in this year’s Your Voice, Your Choice.”

The organisations awarded grants at the 2022 event were:

G-Expressions
Gwent Music
Shaftesbury Youf Gang
HCT (Help Caring Team)
StreetDoctors
Savoy Youth Theatre
Rewild Play
The Bigger Picture
Glyn Gaer Primary School
Gwent Young Farmers Club
Llamau