Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach today announced the availability of fresh funding worth £100,000 for community organisations which can help steer young people away from crime.
The PCC has received £347,000 from the Home Office’s Early Intervention Youth Fund to invest in services which prevent vulnerable young people from turning to crime – and is making £100,000 available immediately through his Prevention Fund grants programme.
The grant scheme will see funding allocated in two levels; up to £9,999pa and between £10,000 and £25,000.
Funding is available for projects which engage and support young people who are on the edge of or at risk of criminal involvement.
Projects will need to engage young people in positive activities which help build self-esteem, develop life skills and foster a nurturing/mentoring relationship. They will also need to offer participants suitable role models from within the community who command trust and respect from the young people with whom they work.
Willy Bach said: “There are so many negative influences impacting young people today. Through this fund we want to show young people that they are capable of so much more and offer them opportunities to grow in character, strength and self-discipline.
“Young people are incredibly impressionable which is why it’s so important we intervene early and give them positive experiences as a reference point. Children learn behaviour and this is why it is so critical we give them access to positive role models who can inspire them to achieve more.
“Knife crime and violence won’t go away by itself. Nor will we solve it with handcuffs and prison bars alone. It is much more complicated, and I think our young people deserve time and resources to help them lead happier and more fulfilling lives.”
The ‘Early Intervention Fund’ is available for grassroots organisations, community groups and schools within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and can be used for new initiatives or to expand existing provision.
The PCC is particularly keen to support projects which improve attitudes, thinking and behaviour, improve lifestyle and associates, increase access to employment, education and training, enhance mental wellbeing, tackle substance misuse or improve relationships with family members.
For this round, the PCC is waiving the usual requirement that organisations cannot apply in they are already in receipt of PCC funding.
Applicants are invited to consider the Police and Crime Plan to ensure their project complements the PCC’s key priorities.
The application process opens on 5 August and will close on 1 October 2019. Applicants must be able to start delivery as soon as possible and by January at the latest.
Successful projects will be notified by 1 November 2019.
To apply visit: https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/Planning-and-Money/Commissioning/Current-Funding-Available/PCCs-Prevention-Fund-Early-Intervention.aspx
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Posted on Monday 5th August 2019