THE Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit has launched its Community Grants Fund for 2022 – 2024.

As a partnership, the unit’s strategic goal is to reduce serious violence, the harm it causes, and to safeguard those at risk (relating to county lines, gangs and knife crime). Local organisations and groups are at the forefront of some amazing work that takes place to address these issues and the grant fund is designed to further support this work.

The 2022-2024 grant round is available to local, ’not for profit’, voluntary or community clubs or organisations based in (and therefore delivering in) Essex, Southend and Thurrock only.

Groups can apply for up to £20,000 to deliver support and interventions for children, young people, young adults and families. Projects can run from April 2023 to 31 March 2024

Projects must demonstrate how they have a positive impact on issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour and violence and vulnerability. This may include early intervention work, gang & ‘county lines’, and child criminal exploitation projects.

A spokesperson for the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership said: “This community fund unlocks funding for projects who are doing specific, measurable work with young people and their families across Essex. Last year we funded some amazing projects ranging from using football as a diversionary activity from crime, coaching to young people at risk of serious violence, the provision of youth clubs and wilderness therapy for young people needing an outlet or safe space, and community activity days for disadvantaged communities. Do take the time to see if your organisation meets the criteria as we are keen to support as many projects as we can.”

The Partnership is particularly interested in projects that can evidence they are meeting needs as highlighted by young people and local residents in our Listening Project 2021-2022.

The listening project focused on seven districts in Essex, but the fund is open to all (including Southend & Thurrock). Some examples of need highlighted in the report are safe spaces for young people to try affordable, inclusive activities; opportunities to learn life skills; support for victims of youth violence; drug education in informal settings.

All applications must demonstrate how their project enables children & young people to make positive choices that keep them safe; raise self-esteem and confidence; build resilience; improve emotional and physical health and mental wellbeing and have a letter of support from the local Community Safety Partnership.

Projects funded in the last grant round included therapeutic services for children and young people, coaching and mentoring opportunities, community activities, detached youth work, sporting activities, wilderness therapy and specialist counselling.

More information including T&C’s, further details and how to apply can be found at ecvys.org.uk