Charity Scores £2,750 Grant to Help Wiltshire Youth Post-Pandemic
The RISE Trust, a charity supporting young people across north Wiltshire, has bagged a £2,750 boost from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Covid-19 Response Fund.
The cash came via the Wiltshire Community Foundation, backed by PCC Angus Macpherson’s £50,000 pot aimed at helping local groups battered by the pandemic.
PCC Angus Macpherson Praises RISE Trust’s Crucial Work
Mr Macpherson said: “The RISE Trust is carrying out vital work in our communities – supporting children and young people to help keep them on the straight and narrow, potentially diverting them from low-level crime, anti-social behaviour, or drugs.”
He explained that organisations must show their projects match priorities in his Police and Crime Plan. “There’s no doubt the work The RISE Trust does benefits young people, their families, and the wider community,” he added.
Funding Fuels Street Sessions and Mental Health Support
Danielle Blake, youth co-ordinator at The RISE Trust, said the grant was a lifeline for running outreach sessions in town centres and parks.
She revealed lockdown left youngsters isolated and anxious about returning to school, raising the risk of falling into drink, drugs, and trouble.
“By meeting youngsters in their own environment, we build trust,” said Blake. “We’re out there every week, so young people know they can talk to us. Just having someone notice them can make all the difference.”
Extra Support Following Tragic Crash in Calne
The Trust’s teams operate across Chippenham, Malmesbury, Cricklade, Purton, and Calne, where they’ve increased sessions after a fatal collision killed four young men last month.
“Normally, we’re in Calne on Thursdays, but recently we’ve added Friday skatepark sessions to help young people deal with anxiety and grief,” Blake said. “It’s given everyone a chance to open up.”
Nightly Sessions Tackle Drugs, Antisocial Behaviour and Safety
The RISE Trust meets children aged 10 up to young adults of 21, offering advice on drugs, drink, and safety issues.
- Warned Malmesbury youths about dangers of diving into deep water at Daniels Well
- Spoke to groups setting fires on sports fields
The charity also runs children’s centres in Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett, and Chippenham, with youth teams active across multiple towns during weekdays.
For more on the PCC’s Covid-19 Response Fund, visit Wiltshire PCC’s site.
