Latest news with #YourChoice
North Wales Chronicle
10 hours ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Cash seized from criminals funds Holyhead youth basketball
Ynys Mon Celts is delivering the scheme with funding from the Your Community, Your Choice initiative. On July 23, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin visited Holyhead Leisure Centre to see how money seized from criminals is being used to support the project. Mr Dunbobbin said: "It was fantastic to visit Ynys Mon Celts and see their innovative approach to youth engagement through basketball. "This project perfectly demonstrates how sport can be a powerful tool for crime prevention and community building. "By providing structured activities during peak times for anti-social behaviour, we're investing in our young people's futures." The scheme is jointly supported by the police commissioner, North Wales Police, and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). Funding is partly sourced from the Proceeds of Crime Act, with additional contributions from the Police and Crime Commissioner. The club is using the funding to run Social BALL: Tackling Youth Crime and Inequalities Through Basketball, a programme for seven to 14-year-olds in Holyhead. The scheme offers supervised basketball games throughout the summer, ending with a showcase tournament featuring police officers playing with and against the young participants. Sion Parry, team leader at Ynys Mon Celts, said: "We're thrilled to receive this funding to bring basketball closer to home for our young people. "With basketball being the most in-demand sport in Wales according to Sports Wales surveys, we've identified a real gap in provision locally. "Social BALL will give boys and girls a positive outlet and something to look forward to over the summer months and help build those crucial relationships with local police officers through sport." The programme also includes basketball days in schools across Anglesey to encourage wider participation and identify young people who might benefit from more structured support. During his visit, Mr Dunbobbin met with Mr Parry and toured the facilities where the sessions will be held. The project i designed to address a lack of recreational options for young people in the area, with the nearest basketball league currently located in Flintshire. Ashley Rogers, chairman of PACT, said: "The Social BALL project shows the real impact that Your Community, Your Choice funding can have in local communities. READ MORE: PICTURES: Anglesey cinema complex re-opens after £1.3million refurbishment "By taking proceeds of crime into positive youth projects like this, we're creating opportunities that will benefit Holyhead." Gareth Evans, assistant chief constable of North Wales Police, said: "Early intervention through positive activities like basketball is at the heart of effective policing. "The Social BALL project not only provides young people with something constructive to do but also builds those vital bridges between police and communities that help prevent crime before it happens."
North Wales Chronicle
16-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales preschool builds play area using crime proceeds
Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) visited Cylch Meithrin Llanllyfni to see how the preschool had developed the space using Your Community, Your Choice funding. The funding was awarded after the site was damaged by antisocial behaviour. Mr Dunbobbin said: "It was wonderful to visit Cylch Meithrin Llanllyfni and see their determination to rebuild after being victims of crime. "This project demonstrates how we can turn the proceeds of criminal activity into positive outcomes for our youngest community members." Your Community, Your Choice is a grant scheme supported by the PCC, North Wales Police, and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). It allows the public to vote on projects and is funded partly through money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the remainder provided by the PCC. Over the past 12 years, the scheme has awarded nearly £660,000 to 214 community projects. Cylch Meithrin Llanllyfni used the funding to rebuild its outdoor area after relocating to a new site and being targeted by youths who damaged a shed, bikes, scooters, and other equipment. Saran Japheth, cylch leader at Cylch Meithrin Llanllyfni, said: "This funding means everything to us after what happened. "The criminal damage left us feeling distraught and the children had to go without the outdoor resources they need. "Thanks to Your Community, Your Choice, we can now rebuild and create an even better outdoor learning environment that will benefit all our children for years to come." READ MORE: Neil Foden: Chair of governors found 'serious issues' at Bangor school The preschool, which serves children aged two to four and runs an after-school club for those up to 11, has used the funding to purchase a new playhouse, mud kitchen, water play equipment, and replacement bikes and scooters. Ashley Rogers, PACT chairman, said: "Cylch Meithrin Llanllyfni's resilience in the face of criminal damage is inspiring. "Using funds seized from criminal activity to help them rebuild their outdoor area for children shows exactly why Your Community, Your Choice is so important to our communities." During his visit, Mr Dunbobbin toured the facilities, met with staff, and heard about the group's efforts to create the outdoor space.
Leader Live
26-06-2025
- Leader Live
Llay charity gets funding to raise autism awareness
Your Space, a charity that supports young people with autism and their families, was successful in securing funding for their autism awareness project from the Your Community, Your Choice fund. The Your Community, Your Choice fund is supported by the North Wales Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). The funding partly comes from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the remainder provided by the PCC. With this funding, Your Space will deliver autism presentations and awareness talks in schools, led by their Autism Champion, Andrew Edwards. Mr Edwards, who is autistic and has years of experience in raising the profile of autism within various settings, aims to create a better understanding of neurodiversity within schools. The group discovered that a lack of understanding of neurodiversity among school staff is one of the most significant barriers faced by children. This can lead to many children becoming school refusers and being negatively influenced by peers, potentially leading them into criminal activity. Through their project, Your Space aims to upskill all school staff so that autistic individuals are understood and supported to make positive life choices. On June 17, PCC Andy Dunbobbin visited the charity to learn more about their work and the aims of the initiative. He said: "I was delighted to visit Your Space and learn about their very worthwhile project to raise awareness of autism in education. "As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have made equality, diversity and inclusion a core part of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales and that is why a project like Your Space, with its focus on neurodiversity, is so vital for helping support people in the region." Along with the Assistant Chief Constable of North Wales Police Gareth Evans, Dave Evans from PACT, and local PCSOs Lisa Davies and Catherine Griffiths-Hughes, Mr Dunbobbin was given a tour of the Llay Park Resource Centre facility by the founder of Your Space, Rachel Hancocks, the Autism Champion Andrew Edwards, and the events and communications co-ordinator, Charlotte Roberts. Ms Hancocks said: "It's really positive that we received this funding through a community vote, which means that people are gaining more awareness of the issues autistic people face and our work is now able to reach further." PACT chairman Ashley Rogers, recognising the importance of their work, said: "Your Community, Your Choice is all about local people deciding where money should be invested for the good of their neighbourhood. "Organisations like Your Space do incredible work to help people across our society and I am delighted we have been able to support them in their work." READ MORE: Here's why hundreds of people gathered at Flintshire shrine over the weekend Assistant Chief Constable of North Wales Police Gareth Evans added: "It is only right that money seized from criminals should be reinvested to do good in the community. "That's why I am delighted that money from the Your Community, Your Choice fund has gone to help Your Space and its focus on supporting people with autism in society." Over the past 12 years, Your Community, Your Choice has awarded almost £660,000 to 214 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods. To find out more about Your Space, visit:
Leader Live
11-06-2025
- Leader Live
Money seized from criminals helps to fund project in Mold
Positive Futures Mold, which runs weekly drop-in sessions for 15 to 19-year-olds at the Daniel Owen Community Centre, received the grant through the Your Community, Your Choice fund, The fund is supported by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police, and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). The fund is partly made up of money recovered from criminals through the Proceeds of Crime Act, ensuring that crime does not pay and instead benefits the community. Ellie Johnson, who runs Positive Futures Mold, said: "I was delighted to show the PCC the work we are doing here in Mold to engage young people and help reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB). "I have seen first-hand the kind of difference support and engagement can make in the lives of our young people and feel that our drop-ins can help reach young people and support them to go on to make better life choices, hopefully resulting in less police contact or potential criminal behaviour." The group was set up in September 2024 with initial funding from Mold Town Council covering room hire, insurance, and refreshments. Each session attracts around 20 young people, and the success of the programme led organisers to apply for additional funding through the public vote-based Your Community, Your Choice scheme. The grant will now be used to purchase games and sports equipment and to help fund a monthly guest speaker, with the aim of inspiring attendees. Ms Johnson said: "I believe that young people need a positive outlet and support system that works for them and this is what we feel we can offer at Positive Futures Mold. "The Daniel Owen Community Centre staff have also been excellent and very supportive in helping us to set up and have a base for the drop-in." The group provides a welcoming and inclusive space for young people, with a focus on those who feel disconnected from society and would benefit from consistent, supportive engagement. Attendees sign in and out each week and agree to a behaviour contract. Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin visited the group recently to see the impact of the funding. Mr Dunbobbin said: "Groups like Positive Futures Mold are the backbones of communities right across North Wales, giving opportunity and encouragement to the people they serve. "I was delighted to visit them and to see the work they are doing with young people in Mold. "My Police and Crime Plan for North Wales prioritises supporting communities and this group is an example of my plan and its aims in action." READ MORE: Wrexham Council rejects call to change hybrid working policy All aboard with Bluey! More than 1,000 fans meet pup at Corwen Station Ashley Rogers, chairman of PACT, said: "I am delighted PACT has been able to support Positive Futures Mold through the Your Community, Your Choice fund. "Young people are the citizens and leaders of tomorrow and anything we can do to engage with them and invest in them should be embraced. "I look forward to seeing Positive Futures Mold grow in the future and make even more of a difference for young people in the town." Since it began 12 years ago, Your Community, Your Choice has awarded nearly £660,000 to 214 projects across North Wales that aim to reduce crime and promote community safety. The scheme is designed to support the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan.
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
PCC Andy Dunbobbin visits Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC
PCC Andy Dunbobbin spent time at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, at the Beacon Climbing Centre, on Sunday, May 18, to witness how the centre is using funding from the 'Your Community, Your Choice' initiative to support people recovering from substance addiction. Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, in partnership with North Wales Recovery Communities, is using the funding to run a climbing programme for individuals who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Many participants also face mental health challenges and have previous involvement in the criminal justice system. The climbing sessions take place at the Beacon Climbing Centre and outdoors in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and see participants learn climbing techniques, practice teamwork through belaying and group problem-solving, and build confidence by confronting physical and mental challenges. During his visit, PCC Dunbobbin toured the facilities, spoke with programme leaders, and observed a demonstration session. He said: "It was inspiring to visit Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC and see firsthand how they're using this funding to support individuals on their recovery journey. "This initiative aligns with my Police and Crime Plan's focus on crime prevention and building resilient communities." Rachael Hobbs, adventure co-ordinator at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, added: "This funding is transformative for our climbing programme. "We ran a successful pilot last year that showed benefits for participants. "The support from 'Your Community, Your Choice' means we can make this programme accessible to more people in recovery and create sustainable positive change in their lives. "By scheduling these sessions on Monday evenings, we're not only teaching valuable skills but providing a healthy start to the week that helps their recovery journey." Ashley Rogers, chairman of the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), said: "Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC's climbing programme represents exactly what 'Your Community, Your Choice' is about – using funds seized from criminal activity to create positive opportunities that prevent future crime. "We're proud to support such an innovative project." Over the past 12 years, the 'Your Community, Your Choice' scheme has awarded nearly £660,000 to 214 initiatives working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and support the priorities in the PCC's Police and Crime Plan. READ MORE: Ceremony marks the start of work on 54 new homes in Anglesey Funding comes partly from money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest contributed by the PCC. For more details on Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, visit To learn more about PACT, visit and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, visit
