Grants from the Somerset Crimebeat Trust are available for projects that give young people (up to the age of 25) the opportunity to help combat crime and the cause of crime in their communities. Applications can be made at any time, but are awarded quarterly by the panel.
The deadline for the next panel meeting is 19 February 2021.
The Somerset Crimebeat Trust was launched in 1998. Funds are usually raised with the support of the current High Sheriff of Somerset and the Trust is supported by past, current and future High Sheriffs as well as representatives of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
The Trust is an independent charity (no. 1071107) administered by Somerset Community Foundation and Quartet Community Foundation. You can use this page to apply for projects in Somerset. If your project is in North Somerset or Bath and North East Somerset please visit Quartet Community Foundation.
You can apply to the Somerset Crimebeat Trust for projects that:
- Promote safer communities through the prevention of crime
- Give young people the opportunity to use their own energy, imagination and enthusiasm to prevent crime, or reduce the risk of crime
- Educate young people on the causes and effect of crime
Recent grants include:
- £1,200 to Jamie’s Farm for a mentoring project
- £992 to Mendip YMCA for a youth council
- £500 to John Arlott Playing Fields for new equipment
- £864 to St Marks School for riding lessons
- £784 to Yeovil Community Church for a youth group
- £1,500 to Carhampton Parish Council for new play equipment
Whatever your project or activity, we want Somerset Crimebeat Trust grants to provide clear opportunities for young people to combat crime and the causes of crime in their own community or reduce the risk of crime. You will need to tell us about the level, or risk, of crime in your area and what difference your project will make. We call these differences ‘outcomes’.
Our current priorities
We want the grants made from the Somerset Crimebeat Trust to make a real difference to young people. We are particularly keen to hear from those working in our more disadvantaged communities. We will also prioritise applications that:
- Allow young people to tackle the problems of their community themselves
- Involve a cross section of your community
- Highlight the dangers of drug, solvent and alcohol abuse or address bullying or cyber-bullying
Most of our funding will go towards projects or activities in these priority areas, but we will also consider applications that clearly make a positive difference to disadvantaged people in other circumstances.
How much is available?
You can apply for a Somerset Crimebeat Trust grant of up to £1,500. If your project needs more funding please let us know within your application as we may be able to use other funds under our management.
Who can apply?
Community and voluntary organisations, registered charities, and social enterprises are welcome to apply.
This includes unincorporated associations, registered and unregistered charities, community interest companies, cooperatives, and industrial and provident societies.
All groups need to have:
- A governing document or set of rules
- A management committee
- A bank account in your group’s name that requires the signatures of at least two unrelated people
- A safeguarding policy where required
We will ask you for a copy of your governing document, the names of the people on your committee, a recent bank statement and your accounts, and your safeguarding policy as part of your application. You may like to get these documents ready before starting your application.
We will also ask you to provide details of an independent referee.
If you are a new group that is working towards these things then please contact us before applying.
Please note that we are unlikely to fund a group that we have given a grant to in the past that has not completed its monitoring.
Who can’t apply?
The Somerset Crimebeat Fund will normally not support the following:
- 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 Somerset
- Activities that take place during school time
How to apply
If you have read through the guidance above and feel that your project is a good fit for a Somerset Crimebeat Trust grant then you will need to complete an online application form.
After entering your email address on the following page you will be sent a unique link to your form. This allows you to fill in some of your information, save it, and return at a later date.