PCC and charity project to reduce violence and serious harm

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is once again working in partnership with Wiltshire Community Foundation to distribute grants to voluntary and community groups.

Grants of up to £5,000, which aim to make a positive difference across the county, will be awarded through the Police and Crime Commissioner's Community Action Fund to successful applicants to fund activities which will either reduce violence and serious harm, tackle crimes that matter most to local communities, or improve the experience of victims and deliver justice.

Key outcomes that are being sought by the programme include reducing knife crime and serious violence, reducing the vulnerability of victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, or child abuse, and increasing residents’ feelings of safety in their communities.

The programme has previously funded projects which have provided support to a range of people across the county, such as those experiencing homelessness and social isolation, and those who have been impacted by domestic abuse. 

The programme has also funded projects which support young people through youth mentoring, steering them away from the negative influences and antisocial behaviour that exist in the county.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Philip Wilkinson said: “I’m really pleased to be able to re-open my Community Action Fund to give even more groups the opportunity to make their communities safer through the delivery of local projects.

“In the past my office has been able to make a real difference by funding a huge variety of community led initiatives, and we are once again looking to help fund voluntary groups, organisations and charities that tackle major issues like anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol related crimes and supporting young people. 

"It’s a really great way to give back to the community with the money raised from unclaimed property as a result of crime.”

Full eligibility criteria for this programme can be found on Wiltshire Community Foundation’s website.

Wiltshire Community Foundation Joint Chief Executive Fiona Oliver said: “Over the years we have worked with the Police and Crime Commissioner to discover and support some amazing projects which are building safer, stronger and more cohesive communities across Wiltshire and Swindon. 

"We are incredibly proud of our long-standing relationship and look forward to funding more fantastic voluntary groups to deliver projects that are improving the lives of local people.”

Earlier this year, Wiltshire Community Foundation launched a new initiative to strengthen youth work capacity and support the local youth sector across the county. 

Central to this initiative is the recruitment of a Youth Partnership Development Manager, who will help grow and enhance the Foundation’s existing work with its partners, ensuring youth activities are better connected and more responsive to the needs of young people.

This project marks a deepening of the Foundation’s relationship with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, which, alongside Wiltshire Council, has provided vital investment to make the initiative possible. 

As a key funder, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s support reflects a shared commitment to improving outcomes for young people and building stronger, safer communities through sustained and collaborative youth work.

To find out more about the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Action Fund, and for full details on how to apply, people can visit https://www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/grants-and-support/groups/office-of-police-and-crime-commissioner-grant/.