Several community projects will benefit from a funding boost to help people feel less isolated and vulnerable during the cold, winter months.
The latest round of community funding from Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) saw nine projects benefit. A total of £33,772 has been given to good causes.
Successful projects to benefit under the Brighter Days banner range from an initiative to improve the mental health and wellbeing of disabled adults, unpaid carers and children to providing a warm space and hot refreshments for residents in an East Cleveland village.
The latest round brings the total amount of community funding by Cleveland PCC in the current financial year to £187,599.
Steve said: “It’s important that we support the most vulnerable in our communities.
“Unfortunately, through no fault of their own, they are the people who are most likely to fall victim to crime and antisocial behaviour.
“Our most marginalised communities and individuals are also those most at risk of being drawn into crime because of their vulnerabilities, lifestyles and where they live.”
The Brighter Days Fund gave grants to charities and community organisations running projects to support residents, who felt lonely and isolated during the winter months.
The fund aimed to combat stress, low mood and depression during the period January to March.
The funding recognised that social isolation and financial stress are likely to make people feel more vulnerable. As a result, they are more likely to become victims of crime.
One of the projects to benefit from a grant from the PCC was Saltburn Skatepark. It plans to give Redcar and Cleveland its only free skatepark by this summer.
The PCC is just one of several funders, who have contributed to the project over the past two years.
A 30-year dream
Anna Hotspur, Director of Saltburn Skatepark CIC, said: “This has been a dream for 30 years – and now it’s becoming a reality.”
Although the main building work has begun, fundraising continues to find the final £80,000 to pay for extras like lighting, CCTV, a water fountain and a snake path around the site.
Most of the charities who benefited from the Brighter Days initiative were funded via the Police Property Act Fund. This fund is built from the sale of seized and recovered stolen goods where the owners cannot be traced.
A number of other projects were funded via the PCC’s Community Safety Fund (CSF.) The CSF awards funding to organisations and groups who are committed to improving community safety within Cleveland.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) plans to release funding for charities every quarter. Investments will go to projects with a seasonal theme announced every three months.
In addition to quarterly themes, charities working in Cleveland can apply for funding throughout the year for projects which complement the objectives of Cleveland’s Police and Crime Plan.
Full list of successful projects
The successful community projects of the Brighter Days Fund are:
- Saltburn Skatepark Project received a£5,000 contribution towards the cost of building a skatepark.
- St Ann’s Partnership Ltd was given £3,350 to run activities and targeted support for residents in Portrack and Tilery
- Tees Valley Women’s Centre Ltd received a £2,000 grant to support classes and sessions. They will be aimed at women suffering need, hardship and distress in Tees Valley. Classes will run until the summer.
- Lingdale Village Hall was given £3,700 to provide weekly, organised sessions targeting those who are deprived or vulnerable and living in Lingdale.
- Hartlepool Deaf Centre received a £4,900 grant to provide two events per month. They will be aimed at people, aged 30-72, from the deaf/blind community, who feel particularly isolated during the months leading up to spring.
- Yarm Wellness was given a £2,625 contribution towards the cost of running its centre
- Teesside Community Action Group received a £5,000 grant to support the I See you project. It provides basic home repairs, hygiene products and clothing for disabled adults, unpaid carers and children across Cleveland. It aims to improve their mental health and wellbeing
- East Ravens Trust was given £6,447 towards the Just for You – Just for Me initiative. Funding will provide three months of activities for children, young people and families from Stockton Town Centre.
- Liverton Mines Community Centrereceived a grant of £750 to deliver weekly drop-in sessions open to all. They will operate between December and March 2023.