PCC support as young people transform social club
A community improvement project part-funded by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden is giving vulnerable young people the opportunity to develop new skills, build confidence and make a lasting difference to their local community.
Bentinck Miners' Welfair Social Club on Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield has been given a new lease of life thanks to the efforts of young volunteers working with Volunteer It Yourself, who bring together community improvement projects and opportunities for young people facing barriers to employment, education and training.
The project is part of an ambitious scheme that is delivering three community facility improvement projects across Nottinghamshire, engaging at least 45 marginalised and vulnerable young people - 15 at each location.
The initiative specifically supports young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or who are at risk of becoming NEET. Participants are also identified as being at risk of becoming victims of crime, becoming involved in offending or engaging in crime and anti-social behaviour.
Through hands-on participation in practical renovation and improvement work, young people are given the chance to gain valuable experience, learn new skills and take pride in making a tangible contribution to the places where they live.
The scheme is part-funded through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire's Safer Nottinghamshire Together Grants, which provide multi-year funding to voluntary and community organisations helping deliver the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “Investing in our young people and our communities is one of the most important ways we can help prevent crime and build a safer Nottinghamshire.
“Organisations like Volunteer It Yourself are fantastic because they do so much more than improve community facilities. They give young people who may be facing difficult circumstances the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence, develop a sense of purpose and see the positive difference they can make.
“By bringing young people together to transform places that matter to their communities, we're helping create a stronger sense of pride, belonging and ownership. Just as importantly, we're providing positive opportunities and pathways that can help steer young people away from crime and antisocial behaviour.
“I’m delighted that funding through our Safer Nottinghamshire Together Grants is helping make projects like this possible. This is exactly the kind of community-led work that can make a lasting difference to people's lives and help make Nottinghamshire safer for everyone.”
The Safer Nottinghamshire Together Grants form part of the Commissioner's wider investment in community safety, alongside other initiatives such as the Situational Crime Prevention Fund and the Safer Streets Summer Initiative.
Charlie Morgan, Senior Project Manager at Volunteer It Yourself, said: "Young people come on board with us to gain vital work experience and hands on construction experience.
"The work at the Bentinck has been really positive and now there is a fantastic space that has a real community feel to it.
"VIY initially came into a venue that was struggling and slightly run down, but now there are multiple spaces that have been transformed for guests to enjoy.
"We take pride in the impact we have on spaces, while also supporting young people to feel a part of something within our communities."
David Bonnert, Trustee and Director of Bentinck Miners' Welfare, said: "We've had a tremendous amount of work done here and every part of the building has been improved dramatically.
"We are having many people and organisations wanting to come here because it is an enjoyable and safe environment.
"We've had a big increase in footfall, and not only that, every day we have people wanting to get on board and help us grow."