A Stafford-based community group has used funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner to help prevent anti-social behaviour through music workshops.
Highfields-based ‘Highfields Community Group’ (HCG) received £2,900 from the Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund to begin hosting weekly music/song writing workshops for children between ten and 15.
The five-week project took place after school at Highfields Social Club on Barnes Road and aimed to promote a sense of community, teaching the children about a wide range of music whilst providing the chance to use professional musical equipment.
During the project, the children worked with volunteer-residents from HCG and researched, wrote and performed their very own songs in front of the group, which helped boost self-esteem and self-confidence.
The children then had the chance to digitally-record their song as part of a radio show-type CD for them to keep. As part of the mock show, the children also introduced and evaluated their song helping to promote communication skills.
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.
The bids have to demonstrate a clear connection with reducing crime and fit into one of the Commissioner’s four priority area: intervening early, putting victims first, preventing offending and re-offending, and improving public confidence.
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. Projects like this benefit both the children and the wider-community in a positive way.
“By creating a sense of community within this group, we can intervene early, stopping certain crimes from ever occurring in this area.”
Community Organiser Eileen Jordan, submitted the application for the Proceeds of Crime Fund and has helped organise the project, she said: “This project has been much more than a place to just come and try out some instruments.
“It has helped teach the children so much in terms of group work, both with their peers and the older volunteers, which has created a real sense of community spirit. In fact, it’s been so successful that the children now intend to do a litter pick and dog mess campaign in the area.
“I believe this is the start of new beginnings on Highfields, this little venture will bring positive action out on to the streets of our community and with this, community spirit will continue to build.”
Professional music artist Charmaine Baines is the Project Co-ordinator and helped deliver the workshops. She said: “When I lived on Highfields, there was never anything like this, which inevitably led to boredom among children and subsequently anti-social behaviour.
“Thanks to this project, these children looked forward to the workshops and the chance to take part in something constructive, showing themselves in a positive light.
“Everyone has supported each other, from the youngest child to the oldest volunteer, they all just wanted each other else to do well, which I will think will stay with them for a long time.”
The last workshop took place yesterday (9 April) and the group is now looking into more avenues for funding.
Bidding is currently open until 14th April for grants from the PCC’s People Power Fund.
People Power applications need to be sponsored by the group’s local Neighbourhood Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer. More details, including application forms and an animated video about the fund, are available now at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund
For more information on the Highfields Community Group contact Eileen Jordan on 07738729878.
