High Sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust Neighbourhood & PCSO Policing Fund
Quartet Community Foundation
What is Quartet Community Foundation? Quartet Community Foundation manages funding on behalf of individuals, companies, charitable trusts and statutory agencies. This enables us to make grants to charitable groups in the West of England. We have a number of grant programmes to which groups can apply, The High Sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust – Neighbourhood & PCSO Policing Fund is one.
What is the High Sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust Grant Programme? The High Sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust is an independent charity (no. 1071107) administered by Somerset and Quartet Community Foundations. Launched in 1998, funds are raised annually by the High Sheriff with the support of past and previous Sheriffs as well as Avon and Somerset Constabulary. The charity was known as Somerset Crimebeat Trust until 2021. The Trust offers a Small Grants Fund and a Neighbourhood & PCSO Policing Fund while also running a special initiative called Unlocking Potential. These activities are designed to improve the quality of life for people by preventing and reducing crime through direct work with people in the community. We have a particular interest in work with young people (aged 8 -25) and older people (65+).
What can you apply for? We will fund activities that complement the work of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) and Neighbourhood Constables within Neighbourhood Policing Teams in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. These activities should lead to: • An increase in unity and engagement within communities. • More positive relationships with communities. • Reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour within communities. • Greater education around the causes and consequences of crime.
How much do we award? The Neighbourhood & PCSO Policing Fund aims to distribute around £10,000 per year. The smallest grant we will award from this Fund is £250, and the largest will be £5,000. As a guide, we expect the average award to be around £1,500.
Examples of grants awarded to: • Taunton North policing team to work in partnership with a local activity provider to engage young people on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. The project was designed to increase the young people’s confidence and self esteem, while also reducing antisocial behaviour during school holidays. • Halcon One Team to run a ‘Taunton Together’ event to celebrate diversity in the community, build positive relationships with local officers, and address antisocial behaviour together. • deliver productions of ‘Chelsea's Choice’ in schools. This is a piece of theatre that examines how some children and young people can be sexually exploited by others.
How to apply We aim to respond as quickly as possible to funding requests, as we know you are responding to new opportunities as they arise and work often needs to happen as soon as possible. There are no closing dates for this grant programme and we accept applications at any time.
Who can apply? The Fund is only open for applications from charities and community groups working closely with their local Neighbourhood Policing Team, including PCSOs. Applications should only be made for activities that have been designed in partnership with a PCSO or Neighbourhood Constable and you must be able to provide the contact details of the person at Avon and Somerset Police you have been working with. Charities and community group must have: • a board of trustees or a management committee with at least three unrelated members. • a bank account in the group’s name with at least two signatories. • appropriate policies and insurances, including safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Community and voluntary organisations, registered charities, and social enterprises are welcome to apply. This includes unincorporated associations, charities, community interest companies, cooperatives, and industrial and provident societies. Your organisation must be based in either the Bath & North East Somerset or North Somerset area.
What we don’t fund The High Sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust will normally not support: • Individuals • National charities and appeals • Sponsorship and fundraising events • Animal welfare • Promotion of religion (including repairs to buildings used for worship) • Activities that are a statutory responsibility or are not charitable • Activities that have already taken place • Projects where funds are distributed to a third party • Projects that take place outside of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area.