A project that helps troubled families said grant funding has allowed them to expand their work in Stapleford.
The Chayah Development Project was successful in securing funding at the start of 2023 from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Make Notts Safe fund, and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Chayah aim to tackle antisocial behaviour, gang and drug related crime, as well as improving general wellbeing in the areas they are working in.
Having secured a base at Stapleford Community Centre, they have been able to further enhance the Broxtowe Outreach Support Service which provides support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
It comes as applications have reopened today for grants of up to £10,000 from Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry’s Community Chest, which is part of the Make Notts Safe fund, and community groups across Nottinghamshire are now being urged to get involved in helping transform lives and make communities safer. A minimum of £15,000 has been ring fenced for specific hate crime projects.
Brenda McLennan, Operational Manager at Chayah Development Project, says the funding has enabled new items such as thermal clothing to be purchased as well as covering the costs of volunteers who often work late into the night.
“We’ve now got more visibility and have been offered a base as a result of the work we did post funding,” she said.
“Most of the outreach was happening late at night, so the building has given an opportunity for families to come in if they need support or just want to access services.
“Even when we are supporting an individual, we would always try to find out what their relationships are and who they are connected with.
“We can’t support one person without speaking to their families. If we can empower them then there is less for outside agencies to deal with because they would already have the right support network to get what they need.”
The Community Chest is aimed at third sector community-based organisations, and in some cases parish councils, to support projects that help meet the Police and Crime Commissioner’s priorities in the Make Notts Safe Plan.
These priorities are: Preventing crime and protecting people from harm; responding efficiently and effectively to local needs; and supporting victims, survivors, witnesses and communities.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “Grants of up to £10,000 can make a big difference in our communities.
“They may help fund small projects or equipment, or they could be used as seed corn funding to unlock further funding from other grant providers.
“We have made the application process as simple as possible, so I would encourage any interested groups to get the ball rolling and get involved.”
Examples of how the money could be used include funding community events to build trust and confidence in Nottinghamshire Police; running small scale activities for young people at risk, undertaking outreach or awareness-raising initiatives, or purchasing small items of equipment for community initiatives.
The Community Chest opens twice a year for funding bids, with local groups able to bid for up to £10,000 from the £100,000 pot. The final deadline for applications is 8 October 2023.
To find out more about the Community Chest funding, or to make an application, CLICK HERE.
Posted on Tuesday 19th September 2023