A scheme to help steer young people away from drugs in Hove has been given a funding boost by the Sussex police and crime commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne.
A “Safer in Sussex” grant of £4,570 has been awarded to Change Up – a project being run by the Hangleton and Knoll Project.
Change Up includes a weekly drop in for people aged 13-plus to help address substance use or misuse and support them to make positive changes for them and their community.
Youth work co-ordinator Michelle Old said: “This is vital funding for us as it means we can address a range of issues the young people are experiencing including substance use/misuse.
“We will address these through delivering a weekly safe drop in space for young people, alongside detached youth work (where we meet young people in parks/bus shelters – in their space) and running sports sessions in a local park as a positive activity for young people to participate in.”
Hangleton and Knoll Project chief executive Joanna Martindale said: “We are delighted that youth work is being supported by the police to help them achieve their aims for a safer community, addressing substance use/misuse and reduce anti-social behaviour locally.”
Mrs Bourne said: “This fund is about helping local community projects make Sussex safer and that’s exactly what the Change Up project is doing.”
“Since launching the Safer in Sussex funding scheme in December 2013, I have made over £1 million available to more than 200 local crime reduction and community safety initiatives.
“The scheme is making a real difference to communities across Sussex. The high numbers applying shows that local organisations and community groups care about, and are committed to, helping keep Sussex a safe place in which to live.
“I will be following the progress of Change Up delivered by the Hangleton and Knoll Project closely over the coming months.”
