Vulnerable to benefit from fund tackling social issues

A NEW fund has been developed to help community organisations, charities and non-profit groups tackle social problems, crime and victimisation.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa has launched the £485,000 “Vulnerability Fund” which will see grants of up to £25,000 given out to organisations which help to build stronger and safer communities.

Micro-grants from £50 to £1,000 will be available from local Councils for Voluntary Services for projects such as improving security at the homes of vulnerable people.

Larger grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 will be available for groups that run projects providing support for vulnerable people coming out of lockdown and those that help such people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic to get back into work or training to minimise their risk of becoming involved in crime.

Mr Dhindsa said: “This is a hugely ambitious scheme and will provide help for communities in a way that has never been done before. Social isolation, poor health, lack of opportunity and disability increase the risk of exploitation.

“The pandemic has exacerbated those challenges and created additional pressure for those on low incomes, the unemployed and those shielding.

“This fund will directly target vulnerability as a means of protecting people and lessening the threats they are exposed to.

“It focuses on the individuals, families and communities that require urgent support to safeguard lives and prevent harm. It also empowers communities themselves to take action and work together on the issues which impact on residents most.

“Having police officers who are accessible and visible in our communities is critical for public safety but there are valuable and effective community services out there which can help build resilience in individuals, promote cohesion and prevent personal crisis. It’s all about teamwork.”

Information and guidance to help people understand how the fund can help them is available on the commissioner’s website and there will also be opportunities to discuss problems and potential solutions with neighbourhood policing teams, Neighbourhood Watch groups and local CVSS in the coming weeks.

Mr Dhindsa will also be working closely with Derbyshire Constabulary and local CVSS across the county to identify areas of local need where vulnerable people face a higher risk of crime or disadvantage. Derbyshire Dales CVS, which oversees volunteering activity in Ashbourne, is among the organisations receiving funding.

Support will be provided to help groups offering positive social, leisure, artistic, cultural, spiritual or physical activities that bring people together remotely or in socially distanced ways to prevent people from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.

Other grants will provide help for young people, particularly those who are vulnerable to becoming a victim or perpetrator of crime due to their family or life circumstances, people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health conditions, or those with a history of, or vulnerability to substance misuse.

Applications for larger grants can be made up to November 13 via the commissioner’s office while smaller grants can be applied for from CVSS up to March 1.

To find out more, visit www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/vf

This fund will target vulnerability as a means of protecting people and lessening threats they’re exposed to. Hardyal Dhindsa