Commissioner makes awards to support local groups working with young people

Young people from across the county are set to benefit from funding from Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite.

The money will go to a range of community groups and charities including Young People March, Peterborough Bangladesh Welfare Association UK and the Ramsey Neighbourhood Trust.

Now in its 2nd year, and managed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, the Youth Fund was set up in 2014 to help young people engage in positive activities. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to charities and community groups.

Young People March receive £1,920 to continue running Monday evening drop in sessions for 11-18 year olds; Peterborough Bangladesh Welfare Association UK receive £1,800 to run regular sports training sessions for disadvantaged young people to develop skills and keep them occupied with positive activities; and Ramsey Neighbourhood Trust receive £1,250 to enable youth group members to run projects and events to build links with other community groups.

Jane Darlington, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Community Foundation said:

“The grants are targeted to local groups that work at a grassroots level in the community, benefiting from volunteer input and wider community support. Groups like this make a real difference and the funding will help to engage more young people in positive activities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite added:

“We must not underestimate the power of local projects in transforming the lives of disadvantaged young people. Groups across the county have already benefited from the Youth Fund and I am determined to help even more young people channel their energies into productive activities which increase self-esteem and benefit the wider community.”

A host of diversionary projects have benefitted from the fund since its launch including the Garage Community Trust in Stretham which received a grant to engage six young people in a bike maintenance and repair project and Waterlees Youth Service Providers CIC which won funding towards the running of the drop-in project at Community House in Waterlees, Wisbech.

If you would like to apply to the Youth Fund visit www.cambscf.org.uk/police-and-crime-commissioner-youth-fund-for-cambridgeshire.html

The next deadline for the fund is 1 February 2017.