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Grants of £100k handed out to make county safer

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire
Northamptonshire OPFCC A man, smiling and looking at the camera in a kitchen, with his mouth open. He has a bald head, is wearing a blue apron, blue hoodie, with a skirt underneath. He is holding a cup of tea, and stirring it. He is by an urn, bowls and lots of kitchen items are around and behind him. Northamptonshire OPFCC
Northampton Hope Centre supports people struggling with homelessness and issues relating to hardship, including addiction, mental health and wellbeing

Grants of more than £100,000 are having a "direct and lasting impact" on making Northamptonshire safer, a charity has said.

The funding, from the Safe and Sound public safety plan, has been handed out to a number of organisations by Northamptonshire's police, fire and crime commissioner, Danielle Stone, for more than a year.

Northampton Hope Centre was given £10,000 to train, support and supervise 30 volunteers - and 10 people who have lived experience of homelessness - to run its homeless day centre.

Jo Pritchard, its chief executive, said it meant they could reach people sooner and "prevent crises".

Northamptonshire OPFCC Danielle Stone, to the right, with her hand out, wearing a knitted top, with a lanyard round her neck. She has on glasses and has short fair hair. She is standing by a man wearing a black coat, with a black T-shirt, with glasses and a beard, he is looking at her. They are in a field with trees and grass behind her. Northamptonshire OPFCC
Danielle Stone said successful applicants must show they can reduce harm or offending, improve community engagement, or support vulnerable people

Pritchard said the 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.

"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."

The grant will also help assist rough sleepers and people at risk of exploitation with getting warm clothing, food, and support; and provide peer mentoring for people who have disengaged with public services, the PFCC said.

Stone said the Hope Centre's volunteer programme was an "excellent example of schemes that contribute directly towards making our communities safer, stronger and more connected".

"This work is having a far-reaching positive impact in towns and villages across the county."

She said it would "help problem-solve and prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour".

Funding was also given to the Royal & Derngate to host a conference to confront online culture and the pull of toxic masculinity, EmpowerHER; a Citizens Advice project, to support victims of financial coercion - and the Creative Futures project, to give at-risk young people in care, isolated school children or youth offenders a pathway into creative industries.

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