Charities share £70k funding lifeline to support young people at risk of violence

Children’s charities and community groups across Leicestershire have been awarded a share of more than £70,000 to maintain critical violence prevention services impacted by Covid-19.

Leicestershire’s Violence Reduction Network (VRN) has received £74,720 from the Home Office to support the work of small charities and social enterprises in addressing the risks of violence among young people.

The VRN today announced it has awarded 10 organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with grants to help them meet the additional costs of adapting engagement services throughout the pandemic and to ensure they have additional resources to cope with increased demand.

Grace Strong, VRN Director, said: “We warmly welcome this funding which will ensure vital intervention work launched prior to lockdown can continue.

“We have been impressed with the flexibility and creativity shown by our partners throughout the lockdown and the innovative ways they have sought to reach vulnerable young people in our communities.

“The challenges of preventing public place violence have not gone away and it is imperative our prevention work continues. This funding will increase the resilience of these organisations and ensure they have additional resources   to continue to make a difference.”

Lord Willy Bach, Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner and chair of the VRN, added: “It has been an incredibly positive week for Leicestershire with significant investment from the government to maintain our work to prevent violence and crime.

“This funding is acknowledgement that the solutions and approach we are taking locally are proving effective. We must now continue to keep the momentum going and expand the opportunities for young people to learn new skills, test their resolve and develop self-confidence which are key for long-term progression.”

Among the successful applicants to secure financial support is Team HUB CIC which has received funding to support its outdoor projects for young people in small group mentoring sessions, which include virtual dance classes and workshops in the New Parks area. The project will include a breakfast/lunch take away service during the holiday period.

Root & Branch Out CIC received funding to continue working with vulnerable school children/young people in a Forest School group throughout the holidays and Creative Futures Midlands CIC has been awarded funding to support young people’s mental health during the pandemic by providing collaborative music and art projects to promote self-expression including spoken word poetry, rapping and photography.  

Meanwhile, Above and Beyond CIC received funding to run a series of face-to-face meetings and outdoor activities maintaining the engagement of vulnerable young people over the summer and autumn half term school holidays

The funding covers the period from April 1 to 31 December 2020 and can be used to address short-term income disruption as a result of the pandemic, meet the essential costs of sustaining current activities including the move to remote and digital working, fund the costs of increase demand and pay for additional staff to cover employees shielding through the pandemic.

Organisations in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland were invited to apply for funding before July 3. A total of 18 applications were received and 10 organisations were successful.   

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The full list of recipients can be found below:

Media Enquiries:   Sallie Blair - 07702 541401