Organisations can now apply for funding to provide youth work in Swindon

Youth charities and organisations are being encouraged to apply for a grant of up to £25,000 from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to undertake youth work in areas of high anti-social behaviour and serious violence across Swindon. 

The initiative will support young people at risk of being involved in criminal behavior by providing 500 hours of detached youth work over the next 10 months, including providing diversionary activities, access to visible youth workers and engaging with various communities. 

The funding comes as part of a national initiative led by the Home Office to tackle violence and disorder targeted in areas with high levels of anti-social behaviour in Wiltshire. 

PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “This is a great opportunity for youth organisations to provide preventative and diversionary measures to help guide young people back onto the right path. 

“Tackling crimes that matter most to communities and reducing serious violence and harm are both priorities in my police and crime plan, and it's important we engage with young people, who are more likely to be involved in anti-social behaviour. 

“While the overall trend for anti-social behaviour is heading down, I recognise there remains more to do, to meet the challenges our local communities have with violence and disorder head-on, and I will continue to focus on this issue as residents have told me how important it is to them.”