The Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence – or CURV – set up the RISE programme for the purpose of building community resilience as well as improve the perception, and fear of violent crime.
CURV sits within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and is one of 20 violence reduction units across the UK committed to reducing – and ultimately preventing – serious violence.
It focuses on developing interventions to prevent violent crime before it occurs, analysing data on the root causes of violence and bringing agencies together in multi-agency partnerships.
The target areas for the work includes the Ropner Ward of Stockton and the Newport Ward of Middlesbrough.
Catalyst Stockton and Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency (MVDA) managed the small grants on behalf of the OPCC.
One of the projects to secure funding from CURV was the Welcome Foundation based in Middlesbrough. It was given a £2,246 grant.
The charity is committed to alleviating poverty among refugees, asylum seekers, and their families by providing essential food hampers and resources such as interpreters and legal advice.
They also carry out weekly house visits, counselling sessions, meditation and Zoom meetings to host education and mental health wellbeing sessions.
At the end of each month, staff organise a family fun days in venues across Middlesbrough to bring the community together over a warm meal and live music.
They also provide weekly food deliveries to different families across Cleveland.
hair of Welcome Foundation, Dan Daniels, said: “The resources provided through the RISE grant will go a long way toward achieving our outlined objectives.
“The funds will be allocated to expand our ongoing projects, invest in new resources, and enhance our services.”
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey added: “It’s fantastic to hear of the projects being delivered through CURV’s small grants funding.
“Since CURV was set up in 2022, over £1.4m has been invested in anti-violence schemes with projects reaching more than 50,000 young people.
“Working closely with communities to build resilience and cohesion is vital if we want to keep reducing serious violence across Cleveland.”
Projects will run until the end of March 2025.
