From boxing clubs to music hubs, Commissioner’s Youth Fund helps young people make positive life choices

Young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been given the opportunity to learn new skills thanks to Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston’s Youth Fund.

Peterborough Police Boxing Club

Over the last 12 months, funding worth £98k has been awarded to 33 projects across the county. The Youth fund is now closed to new applicants but will continue to support the work of the current organisations benefiting from the funding.

A few examples of projects receiving support are:

• £3k for to Wisbech Housing Related Support (HRS) who provide accommodation for up to 23 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 for their residents to access a fully equipped weekly fitness van to improve mental and physical wellbeing.
• £3,500 to Peterborough Police Boxing Club to deliver a boxing show for more than 300 young people to showcase how they use their skills in a positive way.
• £3,492 to Peterborough-based The Music Hub for weekly music sessions for students who have been identified as at risk of exclusion from school.
• £3,500 to Soham Town Council for 12-weekly drop-in bus service sessions for young people to access an outreach support worker.
• £3,360 to Sandy Hill based in South Cambridgeshire for a six-week programme working with neuro diverse young people who are vulnerable to exploitation. Young people graduate from the programme with a better understanding of respectful and healthy interactions, from setting personal boundaries to understanding personal space and the importance of consent.
• £3,494 to SIN Cru - an arts organisation based in Cambridge towards a four-week project where young people will convert a shipping container into a sustainable, technology powered, community building. The project will be well documented through their social media channels to raise awareness of its progress and entice new artists to the space. Follow @Sin_Cru on Instagram for regular updates.
• £717.84 to Huntingdon District Council to support a 12-week programme to tackle anti-social behaviour in Huntingdon town centre.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston said:

“It has been incredibly heart-warming to see the results of my fund enabling young people to have access to positive opportunities within their communities.

“These innovative projects allow young people to learn skills with positive role models in safe places allowing them to prosper.”

Louise Chilvers, Service Manager at Wisbech Housing Related Support said:

“The whole team is excited to be able to make a start on the projects which will improve the mental health and physical wellbeing of young people living in housing related support.

“We are especially looking forward to the weekly fitness van as it brings exercise to the doorstep, making health accessible and convenient for all.”

The Commissioner’s Youth Fund was set up to deter young people who may be at risk from becoming involved in criminal or anti-social activities by getting them actively involved in productive and skill building community projects across the county.

Voluntary and community organisations based in the county who are working with young people aged between 5 and 18, or up to 25 years old for those with Special Educational Needs or disabilities were invited to bid for up to £3,500.

The funding has been made possible from what is known as ‘proceeds of criminal activity’.