The Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit today announced it has awarded over £12,000, directly engaging at least 1300 young people through a fund aimed at reducing violence.
The Local Youth Fund offers young people the opportunity to bid for activities or projects that matter to them and make a difference to the communities they live in. By developing their own project, young people are building confidence, experience and skills for use in daily life.
The fund continues to be shaped by young people, who are responsible for reviewing applications and providing recommendations for funding. This round received 38 applications from young people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, with 24 projects to receive funding.
The successful applicants cover a range of projects, including re-engaging with education and training, outdoor activities, increasing safety and a forum for children with additional needs and disabilities.
The organisations supporting the successful applicants include:
- AutismAble
- Clegwell and Hartleyburn Positive Activities Group
- Cycling Minds
- Easington Lane and Sunderland City Council
- Far Association of Residence
- Hat-Trick Project
- Humankind
- New Beginnings North
- NE Youth
- North East Sport
- Northumbria Police
- South Tyneside Youth Service
- SPARCS
- Stakeford and Bomarsund Sporting Welfare
- Streetgames
- TheChev Gateshead Ltd
- Tyneside Outdoors
- Westerhope United Football Club
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I am so proud of our region’s young people for responding to this opportunity to tell us what is important to them in their local area. The Violence Reduction Unit recognise the importance of giving young people opportunities and have put them right at the heart of this unique fund – it is a fund designed by young people and for young people. I can’t stress enough how important it is that we continue to engage our young people now to ensure they have the right support and opportunities to make positive decisions for the future.”
Joanne Vance, Chief Executive of New Beginnings North, said: “We supported two young people who have been successful with the Violence Reduction Unit’s Local Youth Fund. The difference that this funding will make is a life of re-engaging with education, training and employment instead of a life of crime. They could have ended up with a criminal record, been at risk of child exploitation and criminal activity but now with this funding they are both re-engaging with education and training. When we told them they had been successful, they were ecstatic and just so pleased that someone actually believed in them.”
For more information on the Local Youth Fund, please contact the Violence Reduction Unit by email VRU@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.
ENDS
