FROM my experience as your police and crime commissioner, I know that the people closest to local challenges often have the clearest understanding of what could help address them.
I also know there is no shortage of passion, expertise and determination in our communities across Avon and Somerset.
Over the past two and a half years, I’ve heard brilliant ideas from grassroots organisations, volunteers, residents and community leaders.
But I have also heard that access to funding can be one of the biggest barriers to turning these ideas into action.
That is why I am investing £500,000 over the next two years to support community-led projects that prevent crime, reduce harm and make communities safer.
My new Community Fund invites voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations to apply for grants of up to £10,000, for projects that will make a real difference and support my Police and Crime Plan priorities.
Those priorities include reducing crime, violence and anti-social behaviour, preventing crime, supporting victims, and strengthening community relationships.
More than 1,000 people across Avon and Somerset helped shape these priorities during my time campaigning and when I was elected as your PCC.
They reflect the challenges, issues and priorities that you raised with me.
While the police have a vital role to play in delivering these priorities, lasting improvements depend on partners, organisations and residents working together to prevent harm and improve safety in our neighbourhoods.
This fund is about supporting you to do just this. It’s about backing local solutions and enabling more of our communities’ ideas to become reality. It’s about driving positive local change and helping people who are at higher risk of harm, victimisation or offending.
Applications for projects in South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset are being administered through Quartet Community Foundation (quartetcf.org.uk). Organisations in Somerset should apply through Somerset Community Foundation (somersetcf.org.uk).
I encourage you to look at their websites for application rounds and criteria, and to explore whether the fund could support your work to improve safety and deliver these priorities.
There will be several opportunities over the next two years to apply for grants through the Community Fund, as part of my ongoing commitment to investing in you and your ideas, wherever you live in Avon and Somerset.
I look forward to seeing the ideas, projects and partnerships that emerge through this fund, and the difference they will make to people across our region.