02 Apr 2014
More than 20 initiatives are to benefit from a £76,000 grants programme organised by Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon.
They include a Ceredigion homelessness initiative which receives £1,120 and a Pembrokeshire sports club which gets £4,500 to help make facilities safe from criminal damage.
Others include a Powys scheme which receives £2,500 to address social problems leading to people to court and a Carmarthenshire young people’s activity programme which receives £5,000.
The second round of assistance from the Commissioner’s Fund offered grants of up to £5,000 for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups to develop ideas that have a positive impact on the area they serve.
Mr Salmon hopes the scheme will help improve the lives of the people across the region. The projects reflect - in some way - Mr Salmon’s 2013-18 Police and Crime Plan for Dyfed-Powys. First round grants were awarded in August.
The Commissioner said: “I thank all those who worked so hard on their submissions to the second round of Commissioner’s Fund grants.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to offer grants totalling £76,406.90. This will be shared out across the region to help improve the lives of the people in our communities.
“I congratulate those connected with the successful submissions; the number and quality of applications was high. Indeed, this round attracted bids totalling more than £200,000.”
Mr Salmon believes that everybody has a part to play in making neighbourhoods safer; hundreds of individuals and organisations already volunteer or work hard to help in this process.
The Commissioner’s Fund provides further assistance. It is funded by the proceeds of crime awarded to the police and from the sale of unclaimed found property.
Community projects were not nominated by the public or organisations but by frontline police officers and Dyfed-Powys Police staff, and approved by senior officers who assessed applications against criteria such as the need for the project and the numbers to benefit.
A third round of Commissioner’s Fund applications is expected to open this summer.
CASE STUDIES: SUCCESSFUL BIDS
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Powys
Stop it Now! Wales £4,768
This project, with the UK-wide Lucy Faithfull Foundation, will deliver 16 Parents Protect! sessions across Dyfed-Powys. They help parents and carers to protect children from sexual harm and exploitation. They highlight warning signs and focus on how to prevent abuse.
West Wales Action for Mental Health (WWAMH) £3,860
The funding will develop a Ceredigion-based surf therapy programme to help military veterans and their families who have come – or may come - into contact with the Dyfed-Powys criminal justice system. It addresses issues which cause them to offend and influences their thinking.
Ceredigion and Powys
RoSPA £5,000
This money will allow stickers featuring grid references to be printed and applied to road signs across Ceredigion and Powys. Motorists calling the emergency services will use them to pinpoint their location. The Motorcycle Action Group trialled the project in Powys.
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services (CDAS) £4,938.12
This money will fund a Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit for eight women over 13 weeks. The kit is a training course which encourages lifestyle strategies for moving on from abusive relationships. The funding will also help support to men who have experienced domestic abuse.
Carmarthenshire Domestic Abuse Forum £2,418.32
The funding will contribute towards Carmarthenshire’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisor service which prioritises the safety of the victim and children. The majority of referrals are from the police and work includes supporting victims on the day of a trial.
Cyfle i Dyfu / Chance to Grow £4,994
Cyfle i Dyfu, based in Llanelli, helps those with a history of substance misuse and criminality to reintegrate with their communities and to re-enter the labour market. This funding will help further develop the skills of those supported across Carmarthenshire.
Dr M'z £5,000
This grant will contribute towards the running costs of Carmarthen-based Dr M’z, a full-time voluntary project providing those aged 11-25 a safe place to meet and a one-stop shop facility. It aims to be educational, informative and stimulating.
Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Club £5,000
This grant will buy equipment to help young people enjoy outdoor activities. Llandysul Paddlers run activity days and work with a pupil referral unit in Aberaeron plus other groups. Activities include mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, white water rafting, orienteering and coasteering.
Parc Puw Recreation Committee £4,200
A skatepark in Parc Puw, Drefach Velindre, will be improved with this money, with better design and improved lighting. The result will be greater evening use by skateboarders and less risk of anti-social behaviour such as drug use and vandalism.
Ceredigion
Penparcau Youth Forum £3,800
This body is being established by Penparcau Community Forum to engage with young people and develop projects which may help protect the community. One forum responsibility is to distribute funds to community groups. This grant will help that process.
The Wallich £1,119.36
This grant will provide an all-weather shelter for vulnerable clients and others at Aberystwyth temporary accommodation project Ty Nesaf. It will specifically encourage cathartic outdoor activities such as gardening. The Wallich aims to curb reoffending amongst the homeless.
Ysgol Bro Pedr £1,320
A bike track with an educational and recreational purpose is planned by the PTA at this Lampeter school. The funding will help create the track which will feature jumps and obstacles. An idea by head boy Dewi Uridge, it will be used by the school and the wider community.
Pembrokeshire
Boncath FC £3,331
Boncath Football Club provides youth activity to its local community. It has five league teams ranging from U8 to U16 grades. The club has 90 members, the majority from Boncath, Crymych and Tegryn. It aims to buy equipment and kits with this grant.
Friends of the Memorial Park, Pembroke Dock £5,000
This funding will contribute towards the development of a skate park for young people in a safe environment away from residential housing. The park will help divert some young people from possible antisocial behaviour.
Golden Grove School £3,250
The funding will offer pupils of Golden Grove Primary School, Pembroke, a chance to visit other urban and rural parts of Pembrokeshire. The activity will be educational and will help divert some young people from possible antisocial behaviour.
Saundersfoot Sports AFC £4,500
This funding will help Saundersfoot Sports Club install new secure fencing around part of their grounds, to refurbish changing rooms and to make them secure. The aim is to reduce the risk of arson, criminal damage and theft.
Tanyard Youth Project £4,291.50
The funding will help this Pembroke-based project hold Thursday evening youth drop-in sessions. Activities include arts and crafts, sports and games, cookery, life skills, advice, ICT, relaxation and a youth committee.
Powys
Advice Mid Wales £2,501.60
This grant will allow Machynlleth-based Advice Mid Wales to continue its participation in a problem solving initiative which addresses underlying problems - such as substance abuse, mental health issues and debt - which lead to individuals appearing at Magistrates’ Courts.
Knighton District Community Centre Management Committee £2,400
The committee plans regular community centre workshops and activities – including street dance, photography, arts and crafts, drama and cookery - for those aged eight-14. The project will work towards being self-sustaining with the help of young people.
Llanidloes RFC U12 £600
Funding will help buy a new kit for a team with many players from socially deprived families. The club encourages them to take part in an activity which keeps them interested and focused, directing them away from the possibilities of antisocial behaviour.
Powys Youth Service Freedom Group £4,115
Funding will help create a project allowing LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning) people to promote how to deal with homophobic bullying and how to increase hate crime reporting. It will help deliver a film project, publicity material and a workshop.
Total funds allocated £76,406.90
