Nine community groups that tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol-related crimes and supporting young people have received funding through the first round of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Action Fund.
Applications for funding were considered by the OPCC decision making panel last week, with the help of Wiltshire Community Foundation, which has co-ordinated the grant.
PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “I’m so pleased we have had so much interest in the Community Action Fund this year. The standard of applications received during the first round of funding were very high.
“We have been able to award funding to some fantastic groups whose projects aim to tackle key deliverables within each of my Police and Crime Plan priorities. I am looking forward to visiting as many of these groups as possible to find out more about the valuable work they do and how they are actively contributing to their communities and making Wiltshire safer.
“Groups can still apply to be considered in the second round of funding, so I would encourage any community groups who haven’t yet visited the fund page to do so. There you can read over the full eligibility criteria and get your application in.”
The following groups were all selected for funding:
Wiltshire County Football Association (£4,900)
To provide 15 weeks of the 'Roots to Shoots' programme, a diversionary session for young people in Devizes engaged in anti-social behaviour in the town. This will cover the summer holiday period where risks may be higher for the young people involved. This project tackles crimes that matter most to local communities, specifically anti-social behaviour.
Motoyouth (£3,525)
Project to run a total of five two-day sessions during school holidays for young people in Swindon at risk of offending around motor mechanics and moped riding. This project tackles crimes that matter most to local communities, including anti-social behaviour and road safety.
Developing Health & Independence (£2,500)
Organising 10 trips to provide positive and diversionary experiences for young male offenders engaged in programmes across Wiltshire. This project works to reduce violence and serious harm and tackle crimes that matter to local communities.
Waste Not Want Not (£2,500)
A furniture recycling charity based in Chippenham providing low-cost household items for people living on low incomes or in crisis. The funding is for a contribution to their Fresh Start Fund supporting people, often those needing to be rehoused due to domestic abuse with furniture and other essential household goods. This charity works to improve the experience of victims and deliver justice.
Seeds4Success (£2,500)
Contributes to regular open access youth club sessions and a new outreach project over the summer holidays to tackle recent increase in anti-social behaviour in and around Mere, Tisbury and Wilton. This group tackles crimes that matter most to local communities, specifically anti-social behaviour.
Splash - Community First (£3,384)
To develop a parents’ resource pack in different languages for supporting their children and their 'Worry Monsters', a resource for helping young children across Wiltshire deal with the emotional effects of being a victim of crime. This will help improve the experience of victims and deliver justice.
Chippenham Community Hub (£3,000)
Provides a drop-in listening and information service for local people as well as a meeting space for a wide range of community groups and services. The funding will contribute towards running costs including staff and buildings plus some specific publicity costs for developing increased support for people at risk of or experiencing fraud/scams. This project tackles crimes that matter most to local communities.
West Lavington Youth Club (£1,000)
This group reaches the more disadvantaged young people who may be more at risk of anti-social behaviour and exploitation in West and Market Lavington. The funding will contribute towards the costs of running the youth club two nights a week. The group works to tackle crimes that matter to local communities, particularly anti-social behaviour.
Devizes Opendoors (£5,000)
supports homeless people in the Devizes area. The funding is for a contribution towards a new database system to streamline their recording and data sharing with partners, particularly benefiting their new Befriending Scheme to offer more intensive support for people to change their behaviour and circumstances. This project contributes towards tackling violence and serious harm, including domestic abuse and violence against women and girl. It also helps improve the experience of victims and deliver justice, as well as reducing re-offending.
Any applications which were submitted after the cut-off point of Friday May 12th 2023 will be considered in the second round of funding.
For more information on how to apply, please visit the Community Action Fund page. You can also watch our Meet the Funder event FAQs video for answers on questions asked by interested organisations and potential applicants.
