Family Support Link received a £10,000 award to help with their Changing Lanes project, which aims to prevent people entering into crime and reduce re-offending.
The project works to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of families affected by substance misuse, to stop intergenerational substance misuse and to make the families affected feel safer in their own community and avoid being pulled into criminality.
“The money received from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner allowed us to create a new youth drop-in group for 11 – 17 year olds. We have also been able to give one to one support with a dedicated key worker, for all ages from 5 years old. Those with the most identified needs aged between 10 and 17 were invited to a weekly structured group session for 12 weeks, or more if required.
Picture shows CEO of Family Support Link, Julia Feazey
With the current restrictions in place, staff continue to provide support via the telephone, video calls and group activities online. The children and young people have engaged well with this temporary approach. We are currently looking at how we can restart the face to face sessions with small groups in the future.”
Rachel Bott, Operational Manager at Family Support Link
The Northampton Advanced Motorists initiative received a grant of £3,500 to support 30 young drivers through their Advanced Driving Course.
“Young drivers are one of the most vulnerable group of drivers but also the hardest to reach. The Advanced Driving course will provide each young driver with a set of skills to reduce their vulnerability by making them a safer driver.
A proportion of the grant from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is being used to produce marketing materials aimed at young drivers. The bulk of the grant is being used to provide financial help to young drivers in the form of a £100 cashback when they successfully complete the course. The course costs £149, therefore the young driver will only pay £49.
Before the lockdown period, there were 16 young drivers part way through the course and six had successfully passed their Advanced Driving test and received the £100 cashback.”
Henny Cameron, Northampton Advanced Motorists
Picture shows PFCC Stephen Mold and Chief Constable Nick Adderley presenting award to Northants Advanced Motorists.
Corby Pubwatch ‘Safer Nights Project’ was awarded a grant of £2,683.71. The project aims to prevent and help vulnerable people in the night time economy in Corby.
“There are many reasons why people become vulnerable in the night time economy. They may have exceeded their alcohol limit and become very drunk, they may have taken drugs, or been spiked, been a victim of domestic abuse, they may have fallen foul of county lines drug dealers or may have mental health issues.
The ‘Safer Nights Project’ is a Corby Pubwatch initiative but alone we would have great difficulty in delivering it. With the funding we have been awarded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, we will be focusing on prevention, caring, informing and education to hopefully reduce the chances of people becoming vulnerable. We will also focus efforts on recognising those that are vulnerable and assist them at the time, or in some cases point them in a direction where they can seek help.”
