Police and Crime Commissioner awards £423,000 to groups supporting children and young people

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, has awarded £423,174.80 to organisations that support children and young people across Gwent.

The Commissioner’s community fund is awarded 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.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “Children and young people can  often be at risk of becoming involved in crime and antisocial behaviour which is why I prioritised my community fund for projects that enable young people to channel their energy into positive, productive activities.

“Local organisations are often best suited to know what is needed in their areas and these projects enable young people to learn new skills, make new friends and build their confidence to help them have a happier and healthier future.

“By investing money obtained through criminality we can ensure that it is going back into the community where it can do the most good, and I am proud to have invested more than £2million into community projects since I was elected in 2016.”

The organisations which received funding are:

Cyfannol Women’s Aid (pan Gwent)
Senghenydd Youth Drop in Centre (Caerphilly)
Urban Circle (Blaenau Gwent)
Brynmawr Interact (Brynmawr)
Media Academy Wales (pan Gwent)
Newport Mind (Newport Mind)

A further six projects have been awarded second or third year funding. These are:
Newport Yemeni Community Association (Newport)
County in the Community (Newport)
Empire Fighting Chance (Torfaen)
Community House: (Newport)
Cwmbran Centre for Young People: (Torfaen)
Ethnic Youth Support Team: (Newport)