A youth leader project, support for parents of children with autism, and a domestic violence training programme are just some of the Salford schemes set to benefit from a £77k cash boost.
The money comes from grant funding from Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd.
Among the local winners are Salford’s Citizen’s Advice Bureaux, Salford Action for Autism, and youth skills training group the Rio Ferninard Foundation.
The funding is on top of of the £239,000 investment Tony is making to community safety in Salford.
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is to receive £26,411 for its youth leaders project to help Salford children at risk from offending and anti-social behaviour.
The project will use sport, skateboarding and dance to engage with young people and provide positive alternatives to criminal activity.
Youth workers will help develop children’s life skills, looking at issues such as conflict resolution, job interview practice, communication skills and challenging behaviour.
Those on the scheme will be developed as role models and supported to run their own projects and gain their Community Sports Leaders Award.
Tony said: “Early intervention schemes like this can make a world of difference to a young person and the people around them.
“Encouraging these Salford children to realise their ambitions and nurture their abilities is vital if we are to set them back on the right track, far away from a life of crime.”
Foundation Programme Manager Victoria Lowe said: “By equipping young people with necessary skills and knowledge to run their own community projects, we are essentially training the next generation of youth workers.
“Through providing accredited training, qualifications and work placement opportunities young people will develop new skills and working knowledge which will result in them becoming more employable.”
Salford Action for Autism will receive £1,000 to support parents of children affected by autism.
Teenagers with autism can display challenging behaviour that sometimes gets them in trouble with the wider community and the police. This project aims to equip parents with the skills and knowledge to manage this behaviour and prevent matters from getting to crisis point.
Citizens Advice Salford have been awarded £5,000 to help train its volunteer advice workers and to recruit 10 extra domestic violence ‘champions’.
Their ‘Just Ask’ programme will help advisers recognise the signs of domestic violence – including financial abuse – and give them the confidence and skills to ask the right questions that will enable and encourage victims to confide and seek help about the issue.
These are just some of the 20 projects Salfordians will benefit from as part of Tony’s “community chest” funding scheme.
Tony added: “All these projects contribute to making our neighbourhoods stronger and safer.
“We’ve used this grants process to back local communities, and given people the means to come to us with their ideas and aspirations, their plans for making things better.
“The creativity and passion people have for their local areas shines brighter than ever. Even in the face of funding uncertainties and high demand on their services, people are still determined to make a difference and I am determined to help them.”
The community chest funding comes from three different funds designed to reduce demand on policing:
· Commissioner’s Neighbourhood Fund – small grants of up to £1000 issued to help build strong neighbourhoods and harness community spirit.
· Active Citizen’s Fund – grants of up to £5000 to support and boost volunteer-led schemes.
· Youth Aspiration Fund – grants of up to £30,000 to empower young people, raise their aspirations and develop their life skills.
The next round of funding opens in September 2016. More details at gmpcc.org.uk
