Southern Co-op earmarks £100,000 to fight crime

Southern Co-op has announced a total of £100,000 in grant to 14 organisations tackling the causes of crime.

Each will receive £7,500 each from the retailer’s Safer Neighbourhood Fund which aims to reduce retail crime.

Jessica Hughes​, Southern Co-op’s community investment manager, said: “None of our colleagues should have to face threats of violence so we are putting a lot of effort into tackling crime from every angle – causes, prevention, reporting and justice.

“The programmes these grants will be funding range from rehabilitation schemes for ex-offenders, youth projects for those identified as at risk, probation services, the homeless and/or those escaping addiction. Many of these people just need a chance to make a positive change in their lives. These programmes will give them that opportunity and hopefully help reduce future crime in our stores.”

The regional co-operative said it was overwhelmed with the number of causes that applied for the grant.

The successful programmes are run by Avon Youth Club, Changing Tunes, Community Alcohol Partnerships, Dorset Reclaim, Empire Fighting Chance, Faithworks Wessex, Hope Housing Training & Support, Motiv8, Sixty-One, The Bourne Foundation, The Society of St James, The West of England Sport Trust (Wesport), Young Ealing Foundation and Youth Options.

Sixty-One of Bristol said it will use the funding to expand its already successful MentorMe project helping ex-prisoners lead meaningful crime free lives.

“Through this programme Sixty-One’s volunteer mentors help reduce reoffending rates by 75 per cent. They achieve this by regularly meeting with ex-prisoners to help them achieve their goals and deal with the challenges of life after prison,” commented Tim Snowdon, director.

“Last year we supported 67 ex-prisoners and want to increase this to 85. This is particularly important during the pandemic, as we have seen a more than doubling of the support provided by our volunteer mentors since the start of the lockdown.”