Voluntary organisations and community groups who have supported local people since the height of the pandemic have received over £122,000 from Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens’ Community Action Fund (CCAF).
In total, 39 projects and organisations received grants in this round of funding, including:
Bristol Horn Youth Concern who aim to reduce anti-social behaviour and violent crime in Bristol by providing activities, counselling, advice and support for young people at risk of exploitation. The organisation has received £3,000 to fund ongoing youth work, develop links to local organisations with a view to obtain work experience for young people, fund sports activities and get young people off the street to give them focus, discipline and development.
Taunton East Development Trust received £3,000 to support their ongoing food bank and support network for local people. The funding will provide additional food, sanitary products, nappies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleansing products not covered by charitable payments.
The Malcom X Community Centre in Bristol has been awarded £3,000 to support vulnerable young people at a risk of being excluded from school, becoming involved in crime and those likely to end up in prison. Through their Advocacy and Empowerment Project, they will mentor and support local young people to benefit both the young people involved and the wider community.
Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group received £5,000 to support Chinese women across the South West of England. They have seen an increase in demand for their support services due to incidents of domestic abuse, racial abuse and anti-social behaviour as a result of the impact of the lockdown and the pandemic.
Keynsham and District Mencap provide support and opportunities for their 150 members who have learning disabilities and autism. They have received £500 to reduce isolation in the community by providing covid-19 secure social opportunities for their members. The funding will also support them to provide much needed respite to parents and carers.
PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “I continue to be overwhelmed by the innovative ways local people are addressing concerns in their communities, especially in such extraordinary circumstances. You know far better than me what is important to your local communities are and I hope this additional funding goes some way in supporting local people in our area.
“I welcome new applications and look forward to hearing about the innovative projects that local organisations provide for our community. By working together we can continue to make improvements and drive the change needed in helping communities of Avon and Somerset be safe and feel safe.”
In June, PCC Sue Mountstevens allocated an additional £200,000 to CCAF to support local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups to help deal with the consequences of the global health pandemic. Such initiatives are invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000.
The CCAF continues to be run in partnership with the Police Community Trust and will welcome applications until 30 November 2020.
For more information about the grants, how to apply for the fund and for more information on the Police Community Trust, visit our website.