Press Release

THOUSANDS DISHED OUT TO COMMUNITY GROUPS

6 December 2006

A cash boost of £30,000 has been dished out to community groups in Camden as part of the council's Community Chest awards scheme.

The Community Safety Partnership Community Chest is a small grants scheme that aims to support community organisations in Camden to stop drug problems and improve safety.

A cheque for £1,000 has been handed to Acol Children's Centre towards self-defence and personal safety training for young children, and the Until the Violence Stops Capoeira Corpo project has received £2,960. The grant will help raise the awareness of young women in relation to domestic violence and personal safety.

The South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership ARC project is celebrating after receiving £4,000 towards a project to engage with young women who are at risk of anti-social behaviour.

A cheque for £2,250 has been given to Tawfig Somali Community Association for help in engaging young Somali people in the borough through diversionary activities such as football sessions.

The highest grant of £4,900 has been given to Camden Town Community Forum to provide administration support for a community forum which addresses safety and regeneration issues. The forum is open to all residents in Camden Town interested in improving safety in their community. Their views are then fed back to Camden Council, the police and any other interested parties who take action.

Cllr Ben Rawlings, Community Safety Executive Member, said:

"Communities have a vital role to play in making Camden a safer place, and the partnership between the council and community groups is hugely important. With these grants, we are helping the community play their role in tackling problems we are already addressing - including domestic violence, working with the young Somali community and helping young people feel safer without resorting to carrying weapons."

Grants of between £100 to £5,000 are allocated to groups that meet the Community Chest criteria, support the Safer Camden Strategy and develop examples of good practice.