Communities in Herefordshire are set to benefit from a share of a £900,000 investment as part of the Safer Communities project – a joint partnership between the Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and Herefordshire Council.

The funding will be distributed between nine community-based, innovative projects to bring communities closer together and prevent crime across the county. Individuals will be receiving the support they need and deserve, as well as being given spaces to explore future life choices. 

The projects include:

CLD Trust – Safe and Strong Project – Providing support to young people who are vulnerable due to experiencing challenges with their mental health.

St Martins Primary School (with Marbrook Primary School) – Caring in Action – Funding for two case workers. Schools will work with Putson Baptist church and South Wye Police Boxing Academy to identify particular families in need and offer targeted support.

Haygrove Community Gardens Charity – Family Link Project – Set up of a Family Hub at Ross Community Gardens where activities will be conducted to support children and families.

Hope Support Services – Youth Together in Herefordshire – Offering support to young people when a loved one has a serious or terminal illness – funding will further work already undertaken to provide support to 60 additional families.

Hereford Community Farm Nurture in Nature: Raising aspirations using the Green Care Model - Offering a range of Fun Days by taking a whole family approach, offering supported land-based activities, taster sessions, an information hub to signpost people to other agencies and services and the presence of a Support Worker to facilitate families to access more targeted support for emerging problems.

St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary School – Family Learning Mentor – Funding will support employment of a Family Learning Mentor to improve the outcomes and opportunities for the pupils aged 5-11 years old and their families. Working directly with vulnerable families, and their children in order to promote, strengthen and develop the potential of parents/carers and children.

Hinton Community Association Ltd - Providing a training programme for children and young people aged 5 - 18 years that have been excluded or at risk of permanent exclusion from schools, or identified as having anti-social behaviours, have a criminal record or are at risk of offending behaviour.

John Masefield High School – Funding will provide employment of a Family Support Worker to work closely with families and young people who have emerging problems or additional needs that require targeted support.

Rural Media Charity - A youth participation project that will see young people create impactful social media content to generate conversations about positive masculinity, healthy behaviours, personal safety and productive role modelling.

 PCC John Campion said: “I am committed to delivering change by bringing communities together and preventing crime to build a Safer West Mercia.

“It is brilliant to be working in partnership with Herefordshire County Council to provide support to these incredible and life-changing projects which will impact hundreds of people across the county. It is paramount to ensure people are safe and feel safe in their communities. I look forward to seeing the profound impact the Safer Communities project will have.”

Councillor Ivan Powell, cabinet member for children and young people for Herefordshire County Council said: "As an administration, we are committed to helping children and families, particularly those who are vulnerable, to access a range of community-based opportunities.

“Herefordshire is great place to live and connecting children and families to their community in this way will enable them to achieve their full potential, help them to feel safer and to strengthen our communities.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to support local organisations to do exactly this.”