Incredible Edible Accrington use growing and gardening activities in a community space to engage vulnerable isolated and vulnerable people into their community..
The site around Elmfield Hall has seen recurring issues with Anti-social behaviour, such as damage to the groups’ facilities, verbal abuse and drug use.
The funding will be used to secure their facilities, which include gardening tunnels and greenhouses, and make volunteers utilising them feel more secure and able to attend, which supports their own wellbeing as they become less isolated.
Visiting the site in Accrington, the Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:
“It is really impressive to see first-hand the type of work that they are doing within Incredible Edible and the great impact it is having on people who are gaining new skills, new confidence and engaging with others in their Community.
“By utilising the proceeds of Crime to make areas safer and more confident, we are putting back into our communities in a way that supports vulnerable people, tackles crime and ultimately supports the work of our officers through early intervention.
“Developing safe and confident communities is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan and it’s great to see a real difference being made in areas that are benefiting from my Community Action Fund, which supports community groups in keeping their area safe and reducing crime.”
Cath Holmes from Incredible Edible Accrington said:
“We and the other groups who use the site were overjoyed to hear we had received funding from PCC. It was a relief to know that at long last we could help make the area more secure, safe and comfortable for the volunteers.”
