Restoring community spirit

Published Monday, 2nd December 2024

A funding pot offering small grants to new and existing groups and initiatives has been set up as part of the Safer Streets 5 programme operating in Hartlepool’s Victoria Ward.

The Developing Neighbourhoods Fund is a key element of the drive to bring the community together and help make it stronger.

Hartlepool Borough Council has been awarded £335,403 via the Safer Streets 5 programme run by the Home Office to tackle anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime in Victoria Ward which was hit by serious disorder over the summer.

Some of the money, along with additional funding provided by Thirteen Group, has been used to set up the fund which offers up to £250 to existing groups/initiatives and up to £500 to new groups/initiatives.

Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “The Safer Streets 5 programme is already having a very positive effect on the area, but we want to build on that and bring about further improvement.

“The aim of the Developing Neighbourhoods Fund is to support initiatives that bring the community together and directly benefit local residents.”

Thirteen’s Head of Regeneration and Communities Angela Corner said: “We’re really proud to be working in partnership on this project, as we know the investment in the local area will help to make the communities safer and cleaner.

“This project supports our ongoing commitments and strategy, which aim to empower communities to thrive, and we look forward to our continued partnership to make more improvements in the future.”

The following which must be working or operating in the Victoria Ward area, are eligible to apply for support through the fund:

  • Any local service, resident group or community group working to improve the lives of local people.
  • Charitable organisations.
  • Community centres.
  • Neighbourhood Watch groups or initiatives.
  • Any youth provision.
  • Any education provision.

The fund will not pay for:

  • Staffing costs.
  • Recurring expenditure such as utility bills.
  • Initiatives outside the Victoria Ward, unless they have a direct impact on residents living within the ward.
  • Initiatives that have little or no impact on local residents.

Completed applications should be emailed to community.safety@hartlepool.gov.uk or posted to Community Safety Developing Neighbourhoods Fund, Hartlepool Police Station, Avenue Road, Hartlepool TS24 8AJ.

Further information is available at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/safer-streets-victoria