
Several organisations in the Chester area are set to benefit from funding provided by Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dan Price’s SWAP Fund to create projects that bring about positive community change.
Local projects to receive funding range from tackling substance misuse to providing Street Angels to give support during the nighttime economy and a programme to educate young people on being responsible football supporters.
Across the county, 30 community projects are set to benefit from more than £110k cash awarded from Dan Price’s SWAP Fund.
The projects funded in Chester are:
- Chester FC Community Trust – the money will enable the foundation to deliver the Support Smart project, which will educate young people about the risks of football-related violence and disorder, promoting positive behaviour in stadiums and the wider community.
- Dementia café in Elton – enabling people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s or memory problems by giving them a place to come with their carers to enjoy a cup of tea and a chat.
- Youth Federation – the Better Start programme will work with young people from deprived neighbourhoods, inspiring them to make positive decisions.
- Evolve – the money will be used to deliver targeted intervention and support to young people in high schools showing signs of substance misuse including vaping, nitrous oxide and ketamine.
- Fallen Angels Dance Theatre (FADT) – movement classes for women in Blacon to support those recovering from addition and living with mental health conditions to transform their lives, through movement, creativity and connection. -
- Vineyard 53 – the funding will enable the Street Angels service to continue in Chester city centre.
The SWAP Fund - Safety, Working Together, Action and Prevention – takes money that was earned or acquired in a negative way and swaps it for a positive community change.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Dan Price, said:
“Community projects have the power to have a real impact on crime. I have seen that often there is clear evidence that positive grassroots projects can divert those who would have committed crime down other avenues.
“I want to help Cheshire’s communities thrive and be on the front foot providing prevention and intervention opportunities.
“My £200,000 SWAP fund is the largest amount committed by a Cheshire PCC and sends a clear message to residents across the county that I will do what I can to help them feel safer in their area.
“I’m looking forward to visiting those who have been awarded the funding, seeing first-hand the positive impact they’ve had.”
To be successful, projects had to demonstrate they could fulfil one or more of Dan Price’s priorities which include improving community safety, supporting victims, providing early intervention programmes and reducing reoffending. Two amounts were available, an express grant of £1,000 which gave a decision within two weeks of application and a main grant of £5,000.
This is the second batch of projects from the fund, with 28 projects receiving almost £100,000 towards the end of 2024.
In total nearly 60 organisations have benefited so far from the fund Dan launched in his first few months of being in office.
2025 will see further SWAP funding released for new projects to apply for. The dates and amount will be announced in the coming months.
A full list of all of the awarded projects is available here.
As part of his role, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is responsible for commissioning a variety of services to provide help and support to victims of crime.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, is a non-political body that enables the PCC to fulfil his role and responsibilities.
Pictured - Craig Brown, founder of Rage Fitness and a previous recipient of SWAP funding, and Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
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