Cash boost for Bury groups from Police Commissioner

A homeless support service, local community groups, and crime prevention projects are just some of the Bury schemes set to benefit from a £71k cash boost thanks to grant funding from Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd.

The funding is on top of the £158,000 investment Tony is making to community safety in Bury.

Three of the groups are:

Heaton Park Methodist Church in Prestwich - works with other churches to provide overnight sleeping accommodation, food and clothing for refugees and asylum seekers sleeping rough on the streets in Manchester. It is to receive £1,550 to help transport people from the city centre to the shelter in Bury, providing food, drink, clothing and bedding.

Tony Lloyd said: "Tackling homelessness is one of the biggest challenges we face in Greater Manchester, and this important scheme in Bury is making a real difference. It's not a lifestyle choice - these are people with incredibly difficult personal circumstances that need help and support, even if it is not always on our terms. Heaton Park Methodist Church is providing a lifeline to people in great need, many of whom are vulnerable to crime as well as rough sleeping."

Heaton Park Methodist Church youth and community worker Veronica Earp said: "We know that rough sleeping and offending often go hand-in-hand. What the statistics overlook, however, is the crime committed against rough sleepers, which is significant. Rough sleepers are frequently the victims of violence and theft.

"Our team of volunteers are incredibly passionate and dedicated, and work tirelessly to ensure that the funding and support is in place for our work to continue."

Jigsaw will be given £4,835 to help people with disabilities report and get help if they are a victim of hate crime.

Bury Pub Watch Group is to receive £2,000 to help protect people and businesses from the impact of crime and anti-social behaviour.

These are just some of 27 projects which the people of Bury will benefit from as part of Tony's community chest scheme.

Tony added: "All these projects contribute to making our neighbourhoods stronger and safer. We've used this grants process to back local communities, and given people the means to come to us with their ideas and aspirations, their plans for making things better. The creativity and passion people have for their local areas shines brighter than ever. Even in the face of funding uncertainties and high demand on their services, people are still determined to make a difference and I am determined to help them."

The community chest funding comes from three different funds designed to reduce demand on policing:

• Commissioner's Neighbourhood Fund - small grants of up to £1,000 issued to help build strong neighbourhoods and harness community spirit.
• Active Citizen's Fund - grants of up to £5,000 to support and boost volunteer-led schemes.
• Youth Aspiration Fund - grants of up to £30,000 to empower young people, raise their aspirations and develop their life skills.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Bury Council’s cabinet member for communities and safer neighbourhoods, said: “I am delighted that community groups and organisations in Bury have been successful in gaining funding from the grant funding pot made available by the Police and Crime Commissioners office.

“There are a wide range of projects that can now come to fruition, playing a central role supporting and protecting communities right across Bury. Our community groups are the back bone of our town, my warmest congratulations to them all.”

Cllr Tariq added: “I’d like to thank the Commissioner’s office for all the help they gave to the local voluntary sector during the application process, especially the session they held in Bury – I know that many local groups found it very useful.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 8 June 2016.

Picture: Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner.