Over £80,000 has been awarded to 34 voluntary and community groups across Northumbria for different projects that aim to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour; and members of the community decided who the got funding.

Northumbria Police Authority invited local groups to bid for up to £2,500 for projects that would help tackle some of the real issues in their communities. The groups then pitched their ideas and the audience, which included other community groups, voted on who should get the money.

Councillor Mick Henry, Chair of Northumbria Police Authority said: “This funding scheme gives real power to local people; they know their local problems and they decide where the money should be spent. We’re delighted that, for a third year running, we’ve been able to make available over £80,000 and the 34 projects will benefit communities across Northumbria.”

The winning groups are also equally delighted that the funding is available this year.

Colin Fozzard, Co-ordinator for Sunderland Street Pastors said: “We are delighted. This funding will allow us to continue the work of the street pastors in Sunderland and help us build on what we’ve already achieved. More than that, it means we are able to recruit even more volunteers and train them to become street pastors.”

Jim Coltman & Steve King from Northumbria Youth Action in North Tyneside said:
“The money has made it possible for us to organise a full week of events for young people who have nothing to do during school holidays. This is especially important in the run up to bonfire night when the availability of fireworks means anti-social behaviour is likely to increase.”

Tony Wright founder for Forces for Good, an ex forces peer led support group in Northumberland said: “I am delighted that we have received financial support from this fund. We are really excited that our fellow applicants voted to ensure we received this funding and it confirms our belief that the civilian community continue to support ex forces personnel after they have left the services.”

Steve Milne from Fawdon Community Association, Newcastle said: “We feel that this is a fantastic opportunity for our centre and the local community to try something new and explorative like drama. We are absolutely thrilled and excited that we were successful with our application and truly believe that the grant has given us a chance to show the young people in the area that there is more to life than drinking and smoking; and hope that they will pursue a more proactive life after the project.”

Tor Bruce from Eye of the Fly in Gateshead said: “The difference the funding makes to a small-medium size charity such as ours, is that through the purchase of the computer-related items, we are able to directly engage and advance young people through our Believe In Yourself programme. These young people arrive with us at a critical junction in their lives, where one road would likely lead to a life of crime or not fulfilling their potential. The funding will allow us to continue an essential part of our programme delivery and will help young people from an often quite disrupted background with few life choices, head towards a life with a feeling of self-worth where they have got a place in society.”

Miriam McGregor from Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle said: “This grant has given us the opportunity to engage with young people and offer them alternative activities to their usual behaviour which can be seen as anti-social to some members of the public. We aim to encourage young people to take positive roles in their community and publicise this to dispel the myth that young people aren't contributing to their local area."
 
Ends (02.11.10)
For further information please contact April Shelley, Communications Officer, on 0191 433 2091 or email aprilshelley@gateshead.gov.uk  

Attached photos:
Image one: Sunderland Street Pastors who secured money to help vulnerable people.

Image two: Age UK South Tyneside whose project will fund activities for young and old people.

Additional information:
The £80,000 was made available under the Participatory Budgeting scheme. Three events took place in September and October across Northumbria.  Over the last three years, 100 projects have been able to go ahead because of funding from this scheme.

The following organisations received funding in 2010:

Gateshead

• WinG (Way out in Gateshead) – Positive Achievement Programme – Delivering an outdoor activities programme
• Gateshead Bangladeshi Outreach Project – Gateshead Together Football League – Creating a multi cultural football league
• Gateshead Thunder – Reducing anti social behaviour through rugby – Reducing anti social behaviour
• Eye of the Fly – Motiv8 Programme – Delivering graphic design and photography classes

Newcastle

• Pendower Group Neighbour Group – The Pen Crew – Junior Warden Project
• Walker YMCA – Delivering activities with young people
• Stepney Bank Stables – Young Helpers Scheme – Engaging young people
• Fawdon Community Association – Alcohol Awareness Day – Raising awareness of alcoholism
• Newcastle Woman’s Aid – Freedom Programme and Camera Project – Training for female victims of domestic violence

Northumberland

• Forces for Good – Peer Led Support Group – Ex service person support
• Choysez – Community Challengers – Preventing offending
• Ashington Joint Welfare Scheme – Saturday Mcing – Delivering activities for young people
• Hexham Youth Initiative – Selesafe – Youth outreach and activities programme
• Seaton Valley Youth Service – Seaton Sluice Youth Club – Delivering activities for young people
• SNAP (Sharing Knowledge and Pleasure) – Developing Community Confidence and Cohesion
• Northumberland County Angling Action Group – Community Angling Project – Delivering an angling project in Rothbury

North Tyneside

• Learning Disabilities Federation – Buddies Frontier – Production of an urban arts show
• North Tyneside Disability Forum – Sending out an SOS – Addressing the security and safety needs
• Northumbria Youth Action – Delivering activities for young people over the October half term
• Wallsend Boys Club – Detached Street Work – Extending the programme to Thursday nights
• NACYP – The Valley Outreach Project – Developing films exploring issues in the community

South Tyneside

• The Customs House Trust – The Customs House Tie Group – Produce a theatre show
• South Tyneside Women’s Aid – Raise awareness of domestic abuse
• Age UK South Tyneside – Coast Project – Activities for young and old people
• Hebburn Detached Project – Perspectives – Anti social behaviour workshops
• Hedworth Detached Project – Let Me Entertain You – Funding additional youth workers
• Boldon Community Association – Midnight Antix – Reducing anti social behaviour

Sunderland

• Oblivion – Beer Goggles Off – Deliver alcohol awareness
• St David’s Community Church – Reducing reoffending
• Castleview Enterprise Academy – Safety Project – Tackling anti social behaviour and bullying
• Sunderland Street Pastors – Street Pastors – Helping vulnerable people
• Age UK Sunderland – Improving feelings of confidence and safety
• Lambton Street Youth Centre – 8 Till Late Group – Opening up the youth centre on a Friday night
• Jambo Africa – Workshops on drug and alcohol misus
  

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