PCC supports more community groups by awarding grants via Community Action Fund

Another six community groups working to tackle important issues including youth safety, homelessness and domestic abuse have received a grant via Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson’s Community Action Fund. 

Every year the PCC’s Community Action Fund is delivered in partnership with Wiltshire Community Foundation and supports voluntary groups to deliver activities in line with priorities set out in PCC Philip Wilkinson’s #MakingWiltshireSafer Police and Crime Plan 2022-25. 

Applications for funding were considered by the OPCC panel in January, with applications still be accepted on a rolling basis for next quarter’s decision-making panel.  

PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “I’m pleased with the number of applications we’ve received in this window of funding and the standard of those applications has been very high. 

“I’d like to thank every group for their interest in my Community Action Fund and for the great work they all do whether that be protecting young or vulnerable people, offering diversionary activities and pathways or providing a space within communities. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing these projects develop and visiting as many of the groups as I can to see their great work in action, how they are actively contributing to their communities and helping to making Wiltshire safer by delivering the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan.” 

The following groups were all selected for funding: 

Be a Better You - £5,000 

BEST is a local charity that works with at risk 11–25-year-old people in Swindon and Wiltshire. They provide bespoke sports based mentoring programs with the aim of supporting young people to increase their confidence, achieve goals for education, training or employment and help young people change the direction of their life. 

The funding will go towards free 121 sports mentoring sessions where young people will be matched with a specific mentor and offered specialist sports coaching and trusted adult relationship building. 

Relate Dorset and South Wiltshire - £4,611 

The group was established to educate the public concerning the benefits of secure couple relationships, marriage and family life in order to improve the emotional, sexual and spiritual well-being of individuals which is derived from committed relationships. 

The funding will go towards providing a range of relationship focussed counselling services and also places for male and female domestic abuse perpetrators living in the Salisbury area to attend behavioural change programmes. 

4 Youth - £5,000 

4 Youth is a community youth organisation which works with young people of all backgrounds to deliver positive youth activities each week through youth clubs and street-based work. 

The funding will be spent on the core costs of delivering their street-based youth work in Devizes, Westbury, Melksham and surrounding villages two nights per week. 

Swindon Sisters Alliance CIC - £5,000 

The groups supports those impacted by domestic abuse, suicide, homicide and other trauma by signposting and creating awareness to support parents, children and extended family members. They offer volunteering and learning skills within their shops to create friendships and be around others with lived experiences. 

The funding will go towards continuing to offer signposting, food bank referrals, walk in support, hardship funds, practical support and a safe space to hold meetings to assist with ongoing needs around domestic violence. 

Prime Theatre - £4,975 

Prime is an arts and educational charity that in recent years has prioritised youth voice and action from underserved and vulnerable groups by working in partnerships with schools, other creative and community organisations. 

The funding will go towards hosting a series of 10 creative workshops and interviews with 180 young people around their experiences of knife crime. 

Doorway Wiltshire Ltd - £5,000 

Doorway is based in Chippenham and is a drop-in centre for vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness or housing issues, providing food, washing and laundry facilities, activities, support and advice. 

The funding will go towards general, every day running costs. 

Groups can still apply to be considered in the next round of funding. For more information on who’s eligible and how to apply, please visit the Community Action Fund page. 

Published Friday 23 February 2024