The 11 Northumberland charities getting police chief funding to support lifeline services

Eleven charities in Northumberland are to benefit from an emergency grant scheme set up by the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Coronavirus Response Fund was launched last month by Kim McGuinness as a redesign of the commissioner’s annual community fund, with £200,000 available to help charity organisations continue their vital work during the coronavirus outbreak.

Inundated with applications from across the region, the PCC sourced an extra £100,000 in funding from reserves and underspend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A total of 186 applications were received from a range of services, with 83 set to be supported with direct funds.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness.Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness.

Many project ideas have been about looking after vulnerable and isolated people, particularly in the region’s rural communities and including victims of domestic abuse.

Supporting young people also stood out as a great need during this challenging time, so almost £110,000 has been dedicated to youth projects, helping those facing the impacts of poverty while schools are shut.

The successful applicants in Northumberland are: SpLinter Group (Alnwick and Blyth); Fourth Action – The Women’s Workshop (Amble); Hadston House Youth & Community Projects Ltd; Trinity Youth Association (Bedlington); Cygnus Support Ltd (Ashington); Heart of the Hirst Tenant and Resident Group (Ashington); Haltwhistle Film Project; Haltwhistle Little Star Pre-School; Hexham and Tynedale Community Trust; Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services; Tyneside & Northumberland Mind.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Debs Hickling-Walker, a youth worker at Trinity Youth Association, said: “Some LGBT young people in particular are incredibly isolated and when they lack the funds to maintain a phone they become at risk of exploitation very quickly.

“Being able to ensure that all of our young people can stay connected with us during this particularly stressful time could literally save a life.

“I’m very grateful to the Police Commissioner for recognising the needs of young people at this time.”

PCC Kim McGuinness said: “As commissioner, my role isn’t just about policing, it’s about ensuring support is there in our communities to help improve lives and prevent crime.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s vital we come together at this time to overcome the challenges this virus has thrown our way.”

She also thanked everyone who applied, adding that it ‘highlights the great community spirit we have throughout the force area’.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you