Kind-hearted Design and Technology staff at Harton Academy in South Shields have handed over 1000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to local beneficiaries including Northumbria Police – a donation praised by Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness.

While school children are busy studying at home, the Design and Technology workshop has been put to good use with staff working round the clock producing full-face visors to help keep frontline staff safe during the current health crisis.

The school’s busy production line has donated its first batch of protective equipment to care homes and hospices across the region and is calling on other healthworkers who are in need of protection to get in touch.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone from Harton Academy who has dedicated their time and of course their talents.

“It’s vital that our police are properly protected and wearing this equipment provides reassurance to those they come into contact with. This is an amazing initiative and we are incredibly grateful.”

Sir Ken Gibson, Executive Headteacher at Harton Academy, said: “We’ve all seen the headlines about PPE and how great the demand is. As a school, we are delighted to be able to do our bit for the community and help frontline workers in this way – it’s our way of saying thank you. It’s all part of the fight against Coronavirus and I’m proud incredibly proud of our Technology staff and some student helpers who have put their skills to great use.”

For further details please contact: treis@hartonacademy.co.uk

Phase 1 of the Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioners Violence Reduction Unit concludes at this months end, and phase 2 hopes to build on the hard work and positive change across the force area seen to date.

Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, launched her Violence Reduction Unit 6 months ago with the objective of ‘improving lives to prevent crime’, and results so far indicate a positive response to the Commissioners vision – a reduction in knife enabled serious violence since the previous year of 18%.

Despite the challenges currently facing the charity and voluntary sector, the VRU continues to operate, ensuring suitable support is available to those who need it – both individuals and organisations.

Kim said: “We have obviously had to adapt to a new way of working during these challenging times, but we stand by our commitment to support the most vulnerable in any way that we can. The lockdown has caused a change in crime patterns and we are responding to this – we will continue to work with providers to ensure the support required is accessible to all.”

Since launching the unit, funding provided has enabled 32 organisations to directly impact over 3700 young people and adults through intervention work with the aim of improving lives to prevent crime.

The PCC pledged to support those most vulnerable and committed £930,000 to fund local services and organisations who would provide a range of intervention and outreach work across the Northumbria area.

Kim said: “When I set up my Violence Reduction Unit I outlined the need for organisations to come together to tackle the effects austerity has had on our society and our support networks, 6 months later and we are starting to see positive signs in response to our work.”

“Through the hard work of my office, Northumbria Police, and the organisations we are working with; thousands of young people have been educated through direct interventions in school and the community, we have developed our insight and understanding on this topic and we are in a stronger position now to expand our work and directly impact even more individuals.”

“Despite the situation we find ourselves in currently, we will build on these early successes and continue to improve lives to prevent crime as we have so far.”

Four key areas were identified that the Commissioner vowed to support; early intervention, youth diversion, mental health, and drugs, alcohol and homelessness. The response to tackling these issues has seen overwhelming support from the police, local authorities and other key partners – an approach which has delighted the PCC.

Kim said: “We know that we cannot solve this issue alone, we need people to come together and use our joined resources to provide a clear support pathway for those most vulnerable.”

“The support structure that was once there for young people is no more due to the cuts the public sector has seen over the years. We are looking to reverse the effects of this, but it is going to take time.”

All six local authorities have benefitted from the funding provided by the PCC, with a wide range of interventions on offer to their communities, including; school based awareness raising sessions, sport themed outreach work, drop in sessions for young people, early years support for families, and support for military veterans with housing and employment.

The Violence Reduction Unit will move into phase 2 post March 2020 following confirmation from the Home Office for another 12 months funding. To follow the work of the VRU, please visit https://facebook.com/northumbriavru.

ENDS

Rural charities and organisations struggling in the face of the Covid-19 crisis are being urged to consider a new Coronavirus Response Fund.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness has brought forward and increased the annual community fund in a bid to help hundreds of organisations across the region who are facing an unprecedented challenge in how they support those in need.

Since then the Commissioner’s office has been inundated with applications for the £200,000 fund, and now the call has gone out for rural organisations to make their case.

Commissioner Kim McGuinness said: “Things are really tough right now for so many and rural communities, for me, are a great concern. They can often feel isolated and out of help’s reach at the best of times. There are teachers worried about the gap in provisions for rural pupils, healthcare is often miles away and many rural areas have older, more vulnerable populations.

“There are some fantastic charities and services that do serve these communities – protecting the vulnerable and helping prevent crime. We cannot afford to lose them as they are a crucial lifeline to so many. They’re all playing an important part in the region’s response to the current crisis in some way and I want to make sure they know about this funding as it could help them out.”

Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member for the community and voluntary sector, Cath Homer, said: “Communities across Northumberland have really come together to support those most in need at this difficult time.

“Many of the volunteer groups that have been set up are relying on the goodwill of others, which whilst admirable just isn’t sustainable, and they urgently need funding to help them continue to protect the most vulnerable. I’d urge them to apply as a matter of urgency.”

The Coronavirus Response Fund is seeking applications of up to £5,000 from a range of organisations such as those supporting the most vulnerable within our communities, including those at risk of domestic abuse. The fund will also look at ways to support young people at risk of abuse, neglect or the impacts of poverty now the stability and support of schools has been taken away.

The closing date for applications is April 9th and the Commissioner will open a second round of funding later in the year.

Further details about the fund, how projects can be important in supporting the work of Northumbria Police and how to apply are available on the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Website: https://bit.ly/PCCCoronavirusFund

ENDS

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness has brought forward the annual £200,000 community fund as a new project designed to help local charity organisations continue their vital work.

Across the region hundreds of organisations are facing an unprecedented challenge in how they support families and help prevent crime following the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

With immediate effect from today (Monday 30 March), the Commissioner’s office will take applications for grants of up to £5k to help sustain the delivery of crucial community projects that have been impacted by the current global health crisis.

The Coronavirus Response Fund will initially prioritise applications from organisations supporting the most vulnerable within our communities, including those at risk of domestic abuse. The fund will also look at ways to support young people at risk of abuse, neglect or the impacts of poverty now the stability and support of schools has been taken away.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Things are really tough right now for so many. Over the past few days I’ve been in touch with many organisations that we work with and it’s been absolutely clear that they need more support and, and fast. These organisations are all playing an important part in the region’s response to the current crisis in some way.

“Whether they need to increase capacity, or reach out to people offering support in innovative new ways, what is clear is that a lot of important work won’t wait.

Kim added: “This virus, sadly, is going to have lasting implications for many charities. Across our region, as in the rest of the country, our economy is taking a hit and that’s impacting on things such as counselling and youth intervention services.

“I’d like to get some financial help out there as soon as possible, ideally to projects and services that are already set up in order to help make a difference at speed.

“But we have to be realistic; the fund I am announcing today is only a drop in the ocean compared to what our multi-million pound charity and voluntary sector need. That’s why I am urging the Chancellor to set out urgent further help for these organisations.

“We do not want to recover from this outbreak only to see the quiet support network that keeps us safe has disappeared.”

The closing date for applications is April 9th and the Commissioner will open a second round of funding later in the year.

Further details about the fund, how projects can be important in supporting the work of Northumbria Police and how to apply are available on the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Website or email enquiries@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

www.northumbria-pcc.gov.uk/police-crime-plan/commissioning-services-grants/coronavirus-response-fund-launched/

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