A total of £30,000-worth of funding has been shared between organisations to support projects aimed at empowering the voice of the community.
The Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence – or CURV – set up the RISE programme for the purpose of building community resilience as well as improve the perception, and fear of violent crime.
CURV sits within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and is one of 20 violence reduction units across the UK committed to reducing – and ultimately preventing – serious violence.
It focuses on developing interventions to prevent violent crime before it occurs, analysing data on the root causes of violence and bringing agencies together in multi-agency partnerships.
The target areas for the work includes the Ropner Ward of Stockton and the Newport Ward of Middlesbrough.
Catalyst Stockton and Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency (MVDA) managed the small grants on behalf of the OPCC.
Welcome Foundation
One of the projects to secure funding from CURV was the Welcome Foundation based in Middlesbrough. It was given a £2,246 grant.
The charity is committed to alleviating poverty among refugees, asylum seekers, and their families by providing essential food hampers and resources such as interpreters and legal advice.
They also carry out weekly house visits, counselling sessions, meditation and Zoom meetings to host education and mental health wellbeing sessions.
At the end of each month, staff organise family fun days in venues across Middlesbrough to bring the community together over a warm meal and live music.
They also provide weekly food deliveries to different families across Cleveland.
Chair of Welcome Foundation, Dan Daniels, said: “The resources provided through the RISE grant will go a long way toward achieving our outlined objectives.
“The funds will be allocated to expand our ongoing projects, invest in new resources, and enhance our services.”
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey added: “It’s fantastic to hear of the projects being delivered through CURV’s small grants funding.
“Since CURV was set up in 2022, over £1.4m has been invested in anti-violence schemes with projects reaching more than 50,000 young people.
“Working closely with communities to build resilience and cohesion is vital if we want to keep reducing serious violence across Cleveland.”
Projects will run until the end of March 2025.
Full list of RISE grants
In addition to the £2,246 given to the Welcome Foundation, the following organisations were successful in securing RISE small grants:
FreeStyle Community Projects CIC (£2,965)
Organising workshops to design community art which will be completed on gable ends of homes/property in Newport.
Streets Ahead, Parliament Road, Middlesbrough (£2,950)
Creating a newsletter and workshops for different groups to help establish a community connector network.
North East Message Trust (£2,400)
To engage with young people via physical exercise and input into specific subjects to help them life skills both mentally and emotionally.
Linx Youth Project (£2,439)
Running engaging, educational and awareness sessions aimed at youth to raise awareness of drugs and violent crime. Support will be provided for young people through youth activities.
Sunshine Project (£2,000)
Using the skills of Chinese martial arts to broaden horizons and strengthen self-esteem.
A Way Out (£3,000)
To host female only drop-in sessions with those who are, have been, or may be at risk of engaging in on-street sex work in the local area.
They will be able to access sexual health services via the community sexual health nurse as well as other professionals.
Corner House Youth Project (3,000)
To collaborate with public speaker, trainer and mentor Sosa Henkoma from Everybody Stands Together CIC.
Sosa has lived experience of modern slavery, trafficking, exploitation and county lines. He works with men impacted by experience of serious violence and encourages them to build self-worth and aspirations to create long term behaviour change.
Cultivate Tees Valley CIC (£3,000)
To create an intergenerational pen-pal project using a growing and allotment space.
Partnering with On Your Turf Sports to provide engaging equipment to encourage team bonding and provide meaningful activities for groups of both adults and young people.
The Moses Project (£3,000)
To continue the ongoing work, expand reach, and provide even greater support to a highly vulnerable group of men can break free from cycles of trauma, addiction, and violence to lead stable, fulfilling lives.
Low Hartburn Residents Association (£3,000)
To host community events across Oxbridge, Bowesfield and Low Hartburn to encourage interaction amongst residents from diverse backgrounds to celebrate local culture and traditions.
Gardening activities are also being organised to strengthen both the ecosystem and community well-being.