Swindon youth charity awarded £4,251 thanks to PCC's Covid-19 Response Fund(2)(8)
A Swindon charity which helps children with emotional and behavioural problems has been given £4,251 from the Police and Crime Commissioner's Covid-19 Response Fund.
Swindon STEP, which is based in Nythe, was given the money as part of the PCC's ongoing commitment to support the Wiltshire Community Foundation's Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund.
Overall PCC Angus Macpherson has secured £50,000 worth of funding, which is ring-fenced money that can only be used on charity, to support good causes affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Macpherson said: "The pandemic continues to cause emotional and mental-health related problems for people, particularly young people, and financial problems for the charities and organisations that support them.
"Therefore, I hope this money will go some way in easing that burden, while at the same time supporting the priorities of my Police and Crime Plan.
"Early intervention and support for children and teenagers is a key factor in keeping them safe, out of trouble and away from the pitfalls of crime and anti-social behaviour."
STEP works with young people aged from seven to 18 who are struggling with issues such as mental health, behavioural problems, anger management, or who come from homes where there has been domestic abuse or drug/alcohol dependency. STEP delivers a ten-week course, to provide young people with coping strategies and to help boost their self-esteem.
STEP had to close its doors during the first lockdown, but continued to support families via social media, phone or email, and this funding will help pay for equipment and extra staffing so more socially-distanced sessions can be arranged.
Project director Johanna Bryant said: "We have been working with as many children as we physically can, and we are having to adapt. When we do group work, we have to make sure young people aren't sharing resources, they all have their own individual trays and workstations."