A Lichfield-based nursery has received backing from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund towards the purchase of new, specialised equipment.
Gateway Special Needs Nursery, located within Lichfield Learning Campus, has been given £1,500 to help teach pre-school children with communication and learning difficulties.
The funding has allowed the nursery to purchase two Microsoft Surface Pro tablet computers that will improve teaching and make communication for the children easier.
Matthew Ellis has decided that 100 per cent of funding received by Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures should go back to local communities.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is supporting projects in conjunction with local policing teams and local authorities. It is made up of assets and money seized by police from criminals in Staffordshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Staffordshire Police continues to strip criminals of their assets – hitting them where it hurts.
Mr Ellis said: “For the first time, 100 per cent of funding that comes back to Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures is going directly to local communities. I’m a firm believer in early intervention and this project exemplifies this.
“By tackling potential, future-behavioural problems early, everyone in the community will benefit.”
The nursery plans to soon purchase specialist software for the tablets allowing children to communicate by using just their eyesight. The software will track the user’s eye movement and will be used by children with speech problems.
Sue Dooley is the Deputy Manager at Gateway, she said: “Communication difficulties can impact on children’s behaviour and can cause tremendous pressure on families often resulting in distress and frustration.
“We are delighted to receive this funding which will help develop our ongoing work with pre-school children with these difficulties.”
Bids for funding from the PCC’s Proceeds of Crime Fund had to demonstrate a clear connection with reducing crime and fit into one of the Commissioner’s four priority areas: intervening early, putting victims first, preventing offender and re-offending, and improving public confidence.
For more information, you can contact Gateway Nursery on 01543 512 022.
