Three Wrexham groups get funding boost for community projects

Three Wrexham groups and projects have received a financial boost to help with their work in the local community.

Community Wellness Wrexham, Erddig Nordic Walker and Wrexham Community Gardeners – along with three projects in Flintshire – have been awarded a share of a £50,000 ‘Your Community, Your Choice’ fund.

The initiative, helps support grass-roots projects in the region. It is supported by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), the North Wale Police and Crime Commissioner, and North Wales Police.

In the 11 years since Your Community, Your Choice started, almost £600,000 has been awarded to nearly 200 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and also to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.

The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act – with the rest coming from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Community Wellness Wrexham will use the funds to run a community wellness project and provide personalised support for individuaks.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The Team at Community Wellness are thrilled to have been successful in securing Your Community, Your Choice funding from the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, PACT and North Wales Police.

“Over the last 24 months, the Community Wellness CIC has developed an alternative to the current medical approach to health, wellbeing and healing at Rivertown Church, in Shotton.

“This funding will help us to provide personalised wellness budgets for individuals who we work with and who have experience of, or are currently going through, the criminal justice system to support them on their journey.”

Erddig Nordic Walkers, which promotes the physical benefits of Nordic Walking and exercise will use its share of the funding to purchase equipment to help with its away days.

“Erddig Nordic Walkers promotes the physical benefits of Nordic Walking – exercise, fitness, health and well-being,” said Gareth Lloyd, Executive Officer, Erddig Nordic Walkers.

“However, we provide a sense of belonging and friendship while combatting the effects of social isolation, loneliness and the benefits of this on mental health.

“The grant will purchase shelving for our storage container, a trolley for conveying equipment and contribution to our transport costs for ‘away day’ activities. All revenue received is used to fund our programme of events and for the benefit of all members.”

The funding will also help Wrexham Community Gardeners with its ‘First impressions initiative’ – a project to enhance the entrances to gardens to help highlight the importance that green space can play in boosting mental health.

North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin

Ruth Tesdale, Chair, Wrexham Community Gardeners commented: “Gardens and gardening benefit health, and through collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Community Gardeners will work to create wellbeing and therapeutic gardens at Wrexham Maelor Hospital to benefit patients and staff.

“Using the funding generously donated by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, PACT and North Wales Police, we will enhance the entrances with gardens to lift the spirits of everyone arriving.

“We feel privileged to have this opportunity to help a hospital that touches lives and holds a special place in the hearts of everyone.”

North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said that community groups are the “backbone of these neighbourhoods.”

He said: “I am very happy to see the breadth and variety of organisations in this year’s Your Community, Your Choice fund – the whole of North Wales is represented, from Anglesey to Wrexham.

“Organisations include those that work with the young, with older people, as well as sports, arts and health and wellbeing groups.

“Supporting communities is a key part of my plan for policing and tackling crime in the region and our communities in North Wales are resilient and caring places.

“Organisations like those that have received funding are the backbone of these neighbourhoods, they step in and step up day after day to help and support their communities and I cannot thank them enough for their work.”

PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers commented: “Your Community, Your Choice is all about helping communities and empowering organisations and individuals to make a difference for local residents.

“We are all richer for their work. The funding for the initiative is made even more special by the fact that it comes partly from money seized from criminals, meaning that it is paid back to the people.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to help so many worthwhile projects this year and hope that the funding awarded continues to make a difference for a long time to come.”

North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop said: “On behalf of North Wales Police I am delighted to see the Your Community, Your Choice initiative awarding even more worthwhile projects from across the region.

“Many of these projects undertake valuable outreach work in their communities.

“They also help to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and other negative activity by providing positive diversionary activities and interventions for both young people and adults alike.

“I wish them every success in their work.”

To learn more about PACT visit www.pactnorthwales.co.uk and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and crime Commissioner, visit www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk