More than £100,000 has now been given in grants to make grassroots communities safer across Northamptonshire – thanks to funding from Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone.
It marks the first major milestone since Danielle relaunched her grants scheme last year to align with her Safe and Sound public safety plan.
The latest beneficiary is the Northampton Hope Centre, which has secured £10,000 to help with its volunteer programme that engages with homeless people.
The grant will help to train, support and supervise 30 volunteers – including at least 10 individuals with lived experience of homelessness – to support staff in running their homeless Day Centre operations.
It will also help them to assist rough sleepers and people at risk of exploitation with accessing warm clothing, food, and support; and provide peer mentoring for people who have disengaged with public services.
Jo Pritchard, the CEO of Northampton Hope Centre, said: “This funding will have a direct and lasting impact on community safety in Northampton. By investing in volunteers – including people with lived experience of homelessness – we’re strengthening the calm, supportive presence that keeps our services welcoming for everyone.
“Volunteers help us build trust with people who are otherwise reluctant to engage with services. With the Commissioner’s support, we can reach people sooner, prevent crises, and help individuals move away from harm in a way that benefits both them and the wider community.”
Successful applicants to Danielle’s Safe and Sound grant scheme must demonstrate how they can reduce harm or offending, improve community engagement, or support vulnerable people across the county.
Other beneficiaries have included:
- Almost £10,000 to Royal & Derngate to host a conference with parents, teachers and practitioners to confront online culture and the pull of toxic masculinity
- Almost £10,000 to EmpowerHER, a Citizens Advice project which supports victims of financial coercion
- Almost £10,000 to The Creative Futures project, which gives at-risk young people in care, isolated school children or youth offenders a pathway into creative industries
As well as the £100,000 that has been given to organisations through the Safe and Sound Communities Fund, Danielle has also awarded more than £90,000 to schemes through her Road Safety Community Fund – helping to improve safety for both commuters and pedestrians.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “I am pleased we have now issued funding grants of more than £100,000 through my Safe and Sound Communities Fund.
“Northampton Hope Centre’s volunteer programme is an excellent example of schemes that contribute directly towards making our communities safer, stronger and more connected, and I am sure their work will have a positive influence on those they meet.
“Since relaunching the grants scheme to align with my Safe and Sound public safety plan, we have worked with partners, charities and organisations across the county to help problem-solve and prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. This work is having a far-reaching positive impact in towns and villages across the county.”
