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Funding bringing 'communities together' open for brand new applicants

bridges community trust

A community trust that is using football to help steer young people away from crime says it has benefitted hugely from a funding scheme that has now opened for new bids.

Local groups can now apply for up to £5,000 each from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Chest fund, which aims to give projects a small boost toward vital in work preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, responding to local community needs and supporting victims of crime.

Examples of schemes that may be eligible include community speed watch groups, diversionary schemes to keep young people engaged in positive activities, outreach or awareness raising initiatives or small-scale projects specially for young people at risk.

The Bridges Community Trust is one of ten organisations who were awarded in the last round of Community Chest funding in October 2022.

They were allocated £3,000 for their project Youth: Pride – Purpose - Place, which allowed them to run weekly football sessions to engage with youths aged between six-14 who were at risk of criminal involvement in The Meadows.

John Lockson, general manager of the Bridges Community Trust, said: “This project is making a massive difference to The Meadows community, where over 70 children are now registered coming from all walks of life, faiths, races, creeds, religions and more.

“It is bringing children, families and communities together and teaching the children discipline, improving their fitness levels, giving them a much-needed boost to their confidence and self-esteem as well as giving the parents a much-needed break.

“The project is going from strength to strength because of the wonderful volunteer team, without which none of this would be possible, and of course the PCC funding.”

Organisations will be able to bid for a share of the total £40,000 that is available.

Proposed projects and initiatives for the Community Chest funding must look to prevent crime and protect people from harm, respond efficiently and effectively to local needs or to support victims, survivors, witnesses and communities, which are the key priorities of the Police and Crime plan.

While the fund welcomes proposals linked to any of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s priorities, in this round of funding there is a particular emphasis on hate crime with £15,000 of the total £40,000 being ring fenced specifically for projects and initiatives focussing on this.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “My Community Chest funding is a pocket of money to give a bit of extra support to organisations who go above and beyond to support the people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

“I would encourage anyone who is part of a third sector community-based organisation to put in a bid if they feel their project can help deliver the Make Notts Safe Plan priorities.”

Any grant which is successfully awarded must be spent and delivered by the end of the financial year – March 2024.

Applications close midday on Friday 31st March 2023.

Click here to find out more information/apply.

Posted on Tuesday 21st February 2023
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