Grant Round Open To Support West Yorkshire Communities
West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has opened his latest grant round of the Safer Communities Fund (SCF) with £140,000 available, made up from Proceeds of Crime monies successfully secured by police and prosecutors.
Voluntary, community groups, charities and partners can now bid for grants of up to £6000 from the fund which has a strong theme of supporting communities, and a particular focus on safeguarding vulnerable people.
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “In these truly unprecedented times we want to do all we can to help those most in need.
“I would welcome a broad range of project applications across all of the priority areas set out in my Police and Crime Plan. However, I am particularly looking for initiatives that support the more vulnerable such as younger people or the elderly, women and girls, those with disabilities or victims harmed by crime. Early intervention and prevention projects and those offering therapy or support are also very welcome.
“Crucially, projects must be in a position to get to work helping people right away. That means being able to operate within the current climate of Covid restrictions and in a Covid secure way.
“I really need everyone’s help in promoting this fund so that it can reach the areas where it will make the most difference, so please, if you know of a group this could help, let them know.
“I’m very pleased to be able to continue to offer this much needed funding and support during such unique and challenging times, which is also a great testament to the ongoing work of West Yorkshire Police and prosecutors in securing Proceeds of Crime resources.
“It was a key commitment of mine on being elected PCC in 2012 to ensure Proceeds of Crime monies found its way back into our communities affected by such criminal activity in first place, and it has never been more needed than at the moment during the pandemic.”
This latest grant opportunity is the 20th round of the Safer Communities Fund which has also just allocated grant round 19’s cash, of over £180,000 to 36 projects across West Yorkshire.
Projects funded include:
- Disability Partnership Calderdale, in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, with a project to educate and empower people to report BAME Disability Hate Crime.
- Radio Sangam in Kirklees who are implementing online Domestic Abuse Support for the South Asian community asking for help following incidences of domestic abuse.
- Guiding Light Leads in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, who will be delivering an Educate and Empower Black Youth Programme.
- Tigers Trust in Wakefield for their project ‘Tigers Try Time’ which will look to support and education about hate crime made against their women and disabled teams.
- Supporting the Keighley Pride event 2021 including security and providing BSL interpreters to ensure LGBTQ people will experience improved safety.
The fund initially launched in 2014 and has now allocated £3.6m to around 790 projects making a real difference across West Yorkshire.
A virtual celebration event, looking back at fund achievements and awards for grand round 20 will be held on Monday 22nd March. All current and past recipients will be invited.
The Safer Communities Fund is financed through money and assets recovered from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act by West Yorkshire Police and Prosecutors.
West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable, John Robins, said: “These last few months have presented great challenges, not least for the many community and voluntary groups across West Yorkshire which, despite restrictions, have continued to provide vital help to those people who need it most. Whether it be supporting victims of crime, or making sure children’s or older people’s wellbeing is cared for during lockdown, we have seen volunteers step up their efforts and go the extra mile to meet growing demand on their services.
“Community groups and charities provide a lifeline to many people. They are applauded for their contribution to our society.
“Yet, the opportunities to raise funds and maintain their income has been reduced by lockdown restrictions, which is why I welcome the latest round of grant aid from the Safer Communities Fund and encourage groups to apply for well-deserved grant aid.”
The Safer Communities Fund closes for applications at 12 noon (mid-day) on Friday 12 February 2021.
To find out more about the fund and to apply, visit https://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-communities-fund/how-apply
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Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner West Yorkshire (OPCC, Communications, West Yorkshire)
Halifax Railway Station interim public consultation
Mott MacDonald are working on behalf of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council to develop the design proposals for the new Halifax railway station.
An interim, non-statutory, digital public consultation for the Halifax railway station design proposals will begin on 18 January for 4 weeks. It will be hosted on the combined authority ‘Your Voice’ webpage: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/hsg
Once it goes ‘live’ you will be able to view all the design plans here and provide your feedback via the online survey. Covid 19 restrictions have prevented face to face consultation so we are using a digital platform and providing a printed version to those without internet access. We are engaging with community stakeholders prior to the start of the consultation, should you wish to discuss the scheme proposals in more depth with the project team please do get in touch.
The railway station plans will deliver a range of improvements including:
- A new split-level station building with additional facilities and retail units
- Enhanced passenger waiting facilities within the new station building
- A new town footbridge for cycle/pedestrian use, connecting the station building at first floor level to the Eastern Gateway (near Hughes Building) and Horton Street
- Enhanced car parking
- The reopening of the Navigation Road underpass beneath the station providing direct access to current businesses and future development opportunities to the east of the railway
- The existing Hebble trail will be extended (Water Lane to Berry Lane). The Hebble trail cycle route (National Cycle Network Route 69) forms a vital part of the Calderdale Cycle Network connecting south Halifax, Halifax town centre, and north Halifax to the railway station. The redevelopment will create a more attractive environment for people arriving on foot and by bike, improving the passenger experience and encouraging use of public transport
- The existing Hebble trail will be extended (to the town centre)
- Development of a new southern entrance to the Eureka! site via Discovery Road off South Parade
We would welcome your feedback on the proposals via the online survey from the 18 January.
Please contact us if you require a printed copy of the plans and survey or if you have any questions on the proposals.
Online Arthritis Action Groups
Arthritis Action Groups are an opportunity for people with arthritis to talk with others and share their tips on how to manage their arthritis and stay active whilst at home, and we actively welcome new attendees. We discuss a variety of self-management techniques. Participants will need to contact us directly for the log in instructions for the meeting, and we have produced ‘How To’ guides for those not familiar with using Zoom.
North East and Yorkshire: 25th Jan 2pm, 12th March 2pm
Evening groups: 18th Jan 6pm, 1st March 6pm
For joining details see http://www.arthritisaction.org.uk/media-centre/events
Community Reporter 4 week course starting January 21
What does wellbeing mean to you? What stops you from being well? What keeps you healthy? What was your experience of the COVID-19 pandemic been?
Community Reporting is a storytelling movement that spans the UK and Europe. It supports people to share stories about their own lived experiences and also capture the experiences of their family, friends, work colleagues and neighbourhoods. Community Reporters are trained in how to use basic technology to record people’s stories and use the learnings in the stories to make positive changes in their communities.
If that sounds like something you’d like to do, contact:
Rachel.Swaby@calderdale.gov.uk / 01422 392 708
The training will be delivered in four two-hourly sessions, running over four weeks. You will be taught the knowledge and skills and in the last sessions, you will make your own short documentary.
The sessions take place every Thursday starting on January 21st:
- Session 1 / 12.30pm – 2.30pm / January 21st
- Session 2 / 12.30pm – 2.30pm / January 28th
- Session 3 / 12.30pm – 2.30pm / February 4tt
- Session 4 / 12.30pm – 2.30pm / February 11tt
Disability Partnership Calderdale newsletter 15 January 2021
The latest Disability Partnership Calderdale covers coronavirus news, the In Touch project, has lots of exercise ideas and links as well as a wealth of useful contacts for help and support.
Active Citizen’s Project 6 week workshop starting January 26th
Often when you’re involved in an emergency response either as a volunteer or a paid member of staff you don’t have time to sit back and reflect on the actions you have been taking or the wider context. All One Collective & Lab will be running 6 workshops for individuals who have taken their own community action during Covid-19, volunteers involved in mutual aid groups and local community organisations to reflect on their work and their involvement in the Covid-19 response.
The workshops will provide a space for participants to explore:
• Health: What do we mean by health? Holistic understandings of health, right to healthcare, community responses to health and wellbeing.
• Identity and values, our reasons for taking action, individual values and experiences, self-care tools, wellbeing and sustainability
• You and me: what is community? Who is included and excluded? Prejudice and discrimination. Power, what does it mean and who holds it? How do we empower ourselves and others?
• Taking Action: what has worked and what hasn’t? What have we learned? How do we have more impact? How can we be more effective? What does success look like?
• Connecting with and learning from Covid responders in other countries who are part of the Active Citizens network.
• Recovery: What does it look like? How do we build back better? Challenging inequality, building a low carbon economy.
The workshops will help participants to develop confidence and capacity to take further social actions both individually and collectively, and to learn from others involved in this work in Calderdale, nationally and from groups internationally.
The workshops will run on Zoom but with some offline activities integrated into the sessions. Each workshop builds on the previous one so whilst we understand some participants might not be able to attend all six, we would encourage participants to attend as many as possible.
The sessions will run from 10am -1pm (with a break)
The dates of the workshops are:
• 26th Jan
• 2nd Feb
• 9th Feb
• Week off for half-term)
• 23rd Feb
• 2nd March
• 9th March
The project is funded by the British Council.
If anyone interested would like to join but is worried about the digital aspect of the workshops, please do get in touch and we can talk about any further support you might need to help you participate.
For people interested in participating, please email: hilaryturley@all1collective.org.uk
Lower Valley Friday Flyer 15 December 2021 – OUT NOW!!
Click here to view the latest Lower Valley Friday Flyer…
This week:
- Is your attic room costing you money?
- Green Doctors Calderdale – Free Service to help reduce energy bills
- First Steps – Walking Workshop in Calderdale February 1st
- Beyond the Pain 8 week course by Healthy Minds
Have a great weekend!
If you’re on our mailing list the Friday Flyer will arrive direct to your inbox every Friday. Join the mailing list by emailing calderdalelowervalley@gmail.com
You can also contact us on 01422 252 209
Coronavirus in Calderdale – useful information
The OMI and Friday Flyer team have put together some helpful suggestions and a list of advice outlining the current coronavirus situation in Calderdale.
The list is by no means exhaustive. For current, uptodate information, always refer to official channels. These are listed at the end of this article.
The information in this article is accurate at the time of posting.
Lockdown – restrictions
Stay at home is the advisory.
Only go for groceries or emergencies. You can also go out once for exercise.
If you have coronavirus symptoms: Isolate. Do not go to your GP. Call 111 for advice. Only request assistance if symptoms become severe.
If you must commute, observe social distancing where possible.
Always wear a face mask in closed spaces. If you are exempt from wearing face coverings, have supporting documentation at hand.
Children under the age of 11 do need a face mask.
Health and wellbeing
Clinically vulnerable should shield
Covid and diabetes: Having diabetes does not make you more likely to catch coronavirus. It may make it worse however.
Vaccination
The vaccine is deemed to be safe.
Vaccination is prioritised for the elderly, vulnerable and keyworkers.
Do not contact the NHS requesting vaccination. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn.
Scams
As we do more online and there is concern, scams are on the rise.
Protect yourself online.
Be wary of people approaching you, selling coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine is presently not for sale.
For the latest Coronavirus information, visit:
Is your attic room costing you money?
Up to 25% of a home’s heat can be lost through the roof and if your attic room is not properly insulated, you could be wasting money on your energy bills. Following a successful application process, Calderdale Council will receive over £2million from the Government’s Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme, to help improve the energy efficiency of low-income households (up to £30k household income or means tested benefits). The funding will be used to support residents living in the least energy efficient homes to make residents’ homes healthier, warmer and cheaper to heat as well as helping to reduce carbon emissions and tackle the climate emergency.
Eligible households could receive the work, either fully-funded or significantly discounted. The work will be carried out by Better Homes and Yorkshire’s delivery partner, Halifax-based, Eclipse Energy, energy efficient home improvement experts and winners of the 2019 Sustainable Business Award for Calderdale.
This offer is only available for a limited time! Find out more today by calling Eclipse Energy direct on 01422 414850, or email sales@eclipseenergy.co.uk
Lead the Way January 2021 eBulletin
The latest Lead the Way eBulletin is out with helpful resources for clients and carers, organisations that can support you and information on their online sessions.
