THE clock is ticking towards the closure date for applications to a community grant fund which has cash available to help clubs or organisations in Basildon.

The Violence and Vulnerability Unit run via the office of the Essex and Police Crime Commissioner is accepting bids up to Monday, 31 October from 'not for profit', voluntary or community clubs or organisations based in the borough or delivering services here.

Groups can apply for up to £20,000 to deliver support and interventions for children, young people, young adults and families.

Projects can run from April 2023 to 31 March 2024 and must demonstrate how they have a positive impact on issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour and violence and vulnerability. This may include early intervention work, gang and 'county lines', and child criminal exploitation projects.

All applications must demonstrate how their project enables children and young people to make positive choices that keep them safe; raise self-esteem and confidence; build resilience; improve emotional and physical health and mental wellbeing and have a letter of support from the local Community Safety Partnership.

Projects funded in the last grant round included therapeutic services for children and young people, coaching and mentoring opportunities, community activities, detached youth work, sporting activities, wilderness therapy and specialist counselling.

For more information visit https://ecvys.org.uk/funding-news/