Three Lancaster children's charities secure emergency funding

The Police and Crime Commissioner has secured an additional £98,101 of funding to provide small and micro charities with a boost to help them continue to support children and young people during restrictions placed in light of Covid-19.

Local charities were invited to make a bid to the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network and the grants have now been awarded to groups including Lancashire Youth Challenge (Lancaster), Marsh Community Centre (Lancaster) and SAFE (Lancaster, Morecambe and surrounding areas).

Lancashire Youth Challenge nurtures, supports, and challenges young people living in north Lancashire to overcome barriers and obstacles to achieve personal success.

The funding will support 1-1 mentoring sessions and a project to inspire young people to break a series of world records.

Marsh Community Centre is an open access drop in centre offering advice, signposting, and a range of groups for young people. The funding will support outdoor activities and equipment to enable the centre to adapt and continue to engage with young people safely.

SAFE works with groups of young people and adults who are experiencing mental health issues and other life challenges. The funding will support SAFE’s virtual activities, telephone support and activity packs for group members aged 13-18.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Clarke, head of the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, said: “The pandemic has further highlighted vulnerabilities in our young people and made it more difficult for them to access support.

"We have been inspired by the dedication that charities and support organisations have shown in adapting to the new situation and continuing to support young people as best as they can during a difficult and uncertain time.

“This much-needed funding is vital to helping support organisations to continue engaging with young people and working to keep them safe.”

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "I'm really pleased that charities from across the county are set to benefit from this funding which will support the vital work they do for young people here in Lancashire.

"Supporting vulnerable people is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan and the Covid-19 pandemic has created additional challenges for organisations that support some of our most vulnerable.

"This funding will make a big difference to the work they do and have a positive impact in communities across Lancashire."