Community safety initiatives in Cannock are set to receive a bolster in investment thanks to funding from the Staffordshire Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund.
Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent were asked to bid into a pot of £100,000 to seek funding for projects and initiatives aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
CSPs are formed of partners including Police, Fire & Rescue, local authorities, health partners and the probation service. They have a statutory duty to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in their communities.
Cannock CSP were successful in their bid to secure funding for anti-social behaviour diversionary activities from Vysions Youth Services.
Vysions have been awarded £13,950 to provide their Coach in the Park sports programme in Brereton Park, Hednesford Park and Cannock Park.
The free sessions aim to combine qualified sports coaching with detached youth work to engage young people in safe recreational spaces.
Sue Merriman, Founder of Vysions Youth Services, said: “Funding support from the Staffordshire Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Commissioner means a huge amount to everyone at Vysions Youth Services. It allows us to go out and engage with young people in their own spaces, build positive relationships, and help bring them back into the parks and community spaces where they should feel safe and supported.
“For many of the young people we work with, our projects are more than just activities. They are a lifeline, a sense of belonging and a place where they feel valued and heard.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support and recognition of the importance of youth provision within our communities.”
Coach in the Park sessions run Monday to Friday from 6pm at each of the three sites.
Anna Nevin, Head of Wellbeing for Cannock Chase District Council, said: “We are committed to creating positive opportunities that divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and ensure our public spaces are safe and welcoming for all.
“Vysions’ Coach in the Park does just that, engaging with young people, building trust and encouraging positive and healthy lifestyle choices. We are proud to support an initiative that delivers both immediate benefits and a lasting positive impact for Cannock Chase.”
Cannock CSP also received an additional £10,000 to be used for used for multi-agency problem solving solutions for communities across the Cannock Chase District Council area.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “I provide funding to our local Community Safety Partnerships each year because their understanding and knowledge is vital when tackling community concerns and anti-social behaviour.
“It’s clear that Cannock CSP have used my funding to make a difference to young people in their community, and I look forward to seeing what else is commissioned in the area.”
Alongside funding allocated to CSPs, the Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund also provides:
•£10,000 to each of the 10 Local Policing Teams in Staffordshire to address priorities set by the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
•£180,000 contribution towards the Staffordshire Space Programme which funds activities for children over the summer holidays.
•£200 towards the cost of Independent Chairs for ASB Case Reviews on request.
•A statutorily required annual Strategic Assessment, supporting a comprehensive understanding of crime and community safety in the local area.
To read more about the Commissioner’s Community Safety fund, visit: Local Community Safety Fund
To find out how to get involved in the Coach in the Park Programme and other programmes from Vysions, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/vysionsyouthservice