Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness' Supporting Victims Fund, which provides financial support to strengthen and enhance victim services across Northumbria, is open again for applications from local organisations.
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 aim is 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.
As in 2019/20, the PCC is collaborating again with NHS England to ensure the right services are in place to support the long-term recovery of victims of sexual assault and abuse. This is an important priority for NHS England and by working together, we can offer an effective and efficient service that places victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse at the very centre, which in turn will enable us to offer the support and care when and where it is needed the most.
Organisations can apply for funding individually or in partnership with other organisations. The fund is open to a wide range of voluntary and community sector organisations, local partnerships, youth offending teams and charitable organisations.
Applications are welcome from organisations providing 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 grant themes have been identified as follows:
- Domestic abuse
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Young people under 18
- Victims of hate crime
- Victims with mental health needs
- Victims with other vulnerabilities
Applications close Sunday, January 15th, 2020.
For further information about the fund and to access the application form and guidance documents, please visit the Commissioning and Grants section of the PCC website by clicking http://www.northumbria-pcc.gov.uk/police-crime-plan/commissioning-services-grants/.