Nearly £500K for Merseyside projects to prevent kids falling into crime
Almost 8,500 young people could benefit from the fund
Last updated 22nd Feb 2023
Merseyside’s Police Crime Commissioner has announced nearly half a million pounds is being invested through the region’s Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) to build futures for young people across the region.
The Sports, Arts and Culture Fund has been set up to offer opportunities for around 8,500 young people in Merseyside, helping them to gain skills, build their confidence and make positive decisions for the future.
One of the group, getting £17k of the fund is Autism Adventures.
They offer families living with Autism and other neurodiversity's, leisure and play opportunities. They do regular sessions like football and what are believed to be the first karate classes in the region which enable the young people to be graded.
Julie Simpson is the founder. She said: “Chris, the coach and Sam, who run the sessions always said they wanted our kids to have the same opportunities as the kids who come to their mainstream sessions. From day one they said, ‘we want them to be able to grade’. I never thought it would be possible for my own son to grade but we always strived to get them that level of achievement.”
Sophie Wade's son Callan takes part in a number of Autism Adventures activities. She told us as well as making "friends that are like family" she has noticed big changes in Callan since he joined.
She said: "His confidence has grown massively, like he use to hate football but he comes every Thursday now and he absolutely loves it."
After inviting bids for the fund last year, the Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, has confirmed the grassroots projects which have been awarded a share of the £485,000 VRP pot.
The fund is set to deliver projects focused on engaging and supporting young people, particularly in areas where youth activities have been cut in recent years due to austerity.
Emily said: We know that some vulnerable young people can be targeted by gangs or drawn into criminality. So, this is all about making sure they have the opportunity to try something they maybe have never thought of, or haven't been able to afford to try before, so they know exactly what options are available to them.”
There are 20 successful organisations :
Alt Valley Community Trust (Croxteth)
Apollo Sports Club CIC (Halewood)
Autism Adventures Training (Speke)
Behind Bars (Birkenhead, Bidston and St James)
Brunswick Youth and Community (Linacre)
Centre 63 (Whitefield, Cherryfield, Shevington and Northwood)
Community Capacity Builders (Leasowe, Moreton, Seacombe, Bidston)
Evolving Mindset CIC (Prescot Town Centre)
Future Yards CIC (Birkenhead and Tranmere)
Maximum Edge (St Helens town centre and Parr)
Methodist Centre (Princes Park)
Netherton Park Community Association (Netherton)
People Empowered CIC (St Helens town centre, Parr and Prescot)
Rotunda Inclusive (Kirkdale)
Saints Community Development Foundation (St Helens)
Torus Foundation (Princes Park)
Tranmere Rovers in the Community - TRIC (Bidston and St James)
Utopia Project (Birkenhead, Tranmere, Bidston and St James)
Venus (Linacre)
Women’s Enterprising Breakthrough - WEB (Birkenhead)
Emily said: “From Young Mentor training schemes to sporting sessions, arts and drama classes, photography and dance workshops, these 20 projects have all been chosen because they will support and inspire our young people to achieve more, and I’m really excited to see the results over the coming months.”