Charities awarded share of £70,000
CHILDREN’S charities and community groups across Leicestershire have been awarded a share of more than £70,000 to maintain critical violence prevention services impacted by Covid-19.
Leicestershire’s Violence Reduction Network (VRN) has received £74,720 from the Home Office to support the work of small charities and social enterprises in addressing the risks of violence among young people.
The VRN announced on Friday (July 31) it has awarded 10 organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with grants to help them meet the additional costs of adapting engagement services throughout the pandemic and to ensure they have additional resources to cope with increased demand.
Grace Strong, VRN Director, said: “We warmly welcome this funding which will ensure vital intervention work launched prior to lockdown can continue.
“We have been impressed with the flexibility and creativity shown by our partners throughout the lockdown and the innovative ways they have sought to reach vulnerable young people in our communities.
“The challenges of preventing public place violence have not gone away and it is imperative our prevention work continues. This funding will increase the resilience of these organisations and ensure they have additional resources to continue to make a difference.”
Lord Willy Bach, Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner and chair of the VRN, added: “It has been an incredibly positive week for Leicestershire with significant investment from the government to maintain our work to prevent violence and crime.
“This funding is acknowledgement that the solutions and approach we are taking locally are proving effective. We must now continue to keep the momentum going and expand the opportunities for young people to learn new skills, test their resolve and develop self-confidence which are key for long-term progression.”
The funding covers the period from April 1 to 31 December 2020 and can be used to address short-term income disruption as a result of the pandemic, meet the essential costs of sustaining current activities including the move to remote and digital working, fund the costs of increase demand and pay for additional staff to cover employees shielding through the pandemic.