PCC’s Safer Communities Fund helping to support young people and families in Bradford
17th January 2020
Two projects based in Bradford received nearly £10,000 from West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark Burns-Williamson’s Safer Communities Fund to support young people and families.
The PCC recently visited both projects to see how the grant from the fund, which is financed through money recovered from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act, had been spent.
The Vine Trust of St Marys Laisterdyke received £4570 for their Primetime Bradford project which delivers a young people’s programme across Bradford, including a weekly Young Leaders Network-session, Primetime Junior Youth Clubs and detached sessions in the community.
The Vine Trust is run by local members of the community with over 50 committed volunteers who aim to create positive places where everyone is safe, has fun and has an opportunity to contribute and grow.
St Christopher’s Family Centre received £4,739.82 from the Safer Communities Fund to provide support for vulnerable families and young people.
They work with families to provide effective early intervention such as parenting programmes, drop-in sessions, practical family activities, volunteer training and term-time activities, such as toddler groups.
Through their work they help beneficiaries to increase in skills, self-esteem, resilience, aspirations and motivation. They have a team of 20+ committed volunteers who support a small staff team.
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “I was delighted to be able to provide some funding for these very worthy projects in Bradford.
“They are both helping to safeguard vulnerable people which is a key outcome in my Police and Crime Plan, as well as providing opportunities and support to young people.
“It was a pleasure to meet both staff and volunteers on my visits as well as some of the service users, and I wanted to take this opportunity to say a big thank you for the work they do to benefit their communities through these activities.”
John Myers, Primetime Bradford Project Manager, said: “The Safer Communities Fund helps provide an opportunity for these young leaders to develop new skills, increase aspirations and self-confidence, and make new friends.
“Our Primetime Juniors Cook & Eat sessions provide an opportunity for primary school aged children to learn new skills, eat healthily and make new friends. Each week they make something different to eat and share the food together at the end of the session. Along with this, the session provides an opportunity for young people aged between 13 and 18 to volunteer as young leaders to fulfil our accredited leadership award called the Young Leaders Network.”
Nadine Osuji, Centre Manager at St Christopher's Family Centre, said: "The grant was a lifeline for us. Last year at this time we were not sure if the Family Centre could exist past June 2019. Receiving the grant from the Safer Communities Fund was the first step in the right direction and we could continue paying our youth worker for four more months and therefore carrying on working with young people on the estate. More funding has since come in and we are wanting to make a real difference in the lives of the people of our community."
The next round of the Safer Communities Fund opens for applications on Monday 3rd February. For more information on the fund visit www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk or contact the office on 01924 294000.
Pictured below, PCC Mark Burns-Williamson with John Myers, Primetime Bradford Project Manager.
