Five Northamptonshire organisations welcomed a funding boost this Summer thanks to the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Schemes that have benefited this time include creative projects to divert young people in Northampton away from crime through martial arts, rugby and boxing, a scheme to prevent anti-social behaviour in Wellingborough and a project to provide crime prevention support to vulnerable people across the county.
The organisations received £10,000 each for their projects, bringing the total funding given through all of the Commissioner’s grant schemes over the past 12 months to around £211,000 to 38 community groups.
There are three grant schemes available to organisations, charities and voluntary groups; the Making Northamptonshire Safer Fund for projects that support the aims of the Police and Crime Plan; the Northamptonshire Road Safety Community Fund for initiatives that support the strategic road safety plan and aim to reduce behaviour such as speeding and anti-social road use; and the Small Grants Scheme, that will support projects with funding of between £500 and £3,000.
Northampton Saints Foundation received £10,000 for its ‘Aspire’ project, which has been running throughout the summer holidays to support young people from areas of deprivation or vulnerable to criminal activity.
Jordan Letts, Head of Northampton Saints Foundation said: “Following our successful application to the PFCC, the funding will ensure we are able to keep students on track and focused during the summer holidays, preventing them becoming involved in criminal activity and supporting their mental well-being. We understand the value of half-term intervention, even more so in the current climate.”
Other groups recently awarded through the Making Northamptonshire Safer fund include Proaction Martial Arts Northampton Ltd, Emmanuel Church, Care & Repair Northamptonshire and Castle Fields Community Group.
Stephen Mold said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to be able to award grants to projects that are working in different ways to make their communities a safer place to live. I’m always inspired by the hard work and creativity that people put in to help keep people away from a life of crime.”
Further information about how to apply can be found on the PFCC website, along with details of all grants awarded.