Derbyshire police commissioner's pioneering £485,000 fund will help vulnerable people

The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa has developed the Vulnerability Fund - worth £485,000 - as part of an effort to tackle the social problems known to increase the risk of crime or victimisation.

Funding worth up to £25,000 will be made available to organisations, charities and non-profit groups who share the commissioner’s vision to build safer, stronger communities.

Micro-grants from £50 to £1,000 will be available from local Councils for Voluntary Services (CVS) for projects such as improving security at the homes of vulnerable people including repeat victims of crime and those who are isolated through age, frailty, poor mental health or mobility issues.

Larger grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 will be available for communities, charities, voluntary and non-profit organisations to make a lasting difference. This may include initiatives that help vulnerable people who have lost their jobs or income during the pandemic to get back into work or training to minimise their risk of becoming involved in crime or services or advice or self-help groups that offer emotional and practical support to prevent people from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.

Mr Dhindsa said: “This is a hugely ambitious scheme and will provide help for communities in a way that has never been done before.

"Social isolation, poor health, lack of opportunity and disability increase the risk of exploitation. The pandemic has exacerbated those challenges and created additional pressure for those on low incomes, the unemployed and those shielding.

"This fund will directly target vulnerability as means of protecting people and lessening the threats they are exposed to.”

Applications for larger grants can be made up until November 13, 2020 via the commissoner’s office, while smaller grants can be applied for from CVSs until March 1, 2021. To download an application form, go to www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/VF