Vera Baird QC, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria is launching the new ‘Supporting Victims Fund’ providing up to £500,000 to strengthen and enhance victim services across Northumbria. The aim of the fund is to build capacity and maximise the potential of organisations to help ensure the improved provision of vital services to support victims of crime and help them cope and recover from the impact.
Victims of crime can be of any age, gender, race or sexual orientation and can be vulnerable due to these characteristics or other factors such as a disability, their mental health, religion/belief or the type and nature of the crime committed. In Northumbria the PCC is striving to ensure that victims with the greatest need have access to support that is tailored to meet their needs and help them to best cope and recover. It is important that victims of crime feel confident to seek help when they need it and when they do, the right type of support is available to them.
The fund is managed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria and is in place to support work across the Northumbria area, including the local authority areas of Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
Organisations can apply for funding individually or in partnership with other organisations. Where partnership applications are submitted a clear lead applicant will be needed. The fund is open to a wide range of voluntary and community sector organisations, local partnerships, youth offending teams and charitable organisations.
Victims First has been established in Northumbria to deliver a coordinated approach to victim care and the PCC Supporting Victims Fund has been established to enhance and strengthen our overall offer to victims in Northumbria.
Grant themes
The PCC particularly welcomes applications that provide support to those most vulnerable in our society who under the Victims Code of Practice are entitled to enhanced support - taking this into consideration and what we understand to be the most vulnerable victims in Northumbria the following grant themes have been identified:
- Young people under 18
- Domestic and sexual abuse
- Victims of hate crime
- Victims with mental health needs and those more at risk of abuse and harm
Further information about the grant themes and some of the key issues and gaps in provision is provided in the fund guidance document.
Key dates
- The deadline for applications is 17th May 2015
- Assessments will take place week beginning 18th May 2015
- Organisations will be informed of the outcome before the end of May.
Making an application
There are four key documents you should read carefully before making an application:
- Introduction and overview
- Fund guidance – information about the fund, themes and eligibility
- Guidance notes for completing the application – tips on how to fill in the application form and the information you need to provide
- Assessment criteria – the key things we are looking for in a successful application
If you would like any further information or advice please contact Rachel Snaith at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on rachel.snaith@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk or 0191 221 9800. Please return all completed application forms to Liam Donnelly, Business Administration Apprentice at the OPCC, liam.donnelly@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk by Sunday 17th May 2015.