Saint Safe project transforms criminal cash into community gold
01.05.25 - Merseyside
Local clubs and groups supporting the St Helens community gathered at the Mercure Hotel on Wednesday 30 April, to learn which organisations had been successful in securing funds from the Saint Safe participatory budget project.
Community groups in the St Helens area have had a few weeks to get their applications in, bidding for up to £3,000 to support their local projects.
The £50,000 funding pot was filled via funds seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act, ensuring that money taken from criminal activity is reinvested directly back into improving the local community.
Each applicant faced an audience made up of members of the community and presented their ideas, with the community deciding who was successful.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Local people know their areas better than anybody, so it’s brilliant to use their insight and knowledge to ensure we are using funding in the best way to make their community safer and stronger.
“Each and every one of the successful projects were thoroughly deserving and will put this money to great use.
“It makes it even more satisfying that some of the money we are using to fund these brilliant projects has been seized from criminals. By taking money out of their pockets and investing back where it belongs – in communities across Merseyside – we are turning bad money into good and investing it where we can make the biggest difference.
“My thanks go to everyone who helped to run this hugely successful event, the community organisations who put forward their ideas and the residents of St Helens who gave us their views. I can’t wait to see the positive impact of these projects in the weeks and months to come.”
Inspector Josh Griffiths of the St Helens Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We're delighted to see such enthusiasm from local organisations in St Helens, all committed to making their community a safer and better place to live, work and visit.
"It's particularly rewarding to see funds that have been seized from criminals now being put to positive use within our community.
"The participatory budgeting approach gives real power to local residents – allowing them to identify priorities and shape the services and initiatives that will benefit their neighbourhoods. We're grateful to all our partners who have supported this project and helped make it such a success."
The winning bids, as decided by the audience last night, are:
- People Empowered CIC – £2,960
- Friends-Play for Disabled Children – £3,000
- Standing Tall Foundation – £3,000
- St Helens Bees Netball – £2,000
- Come Together Hub CIC – £3,000
- Haydock and St Helens in Bloom – £3,000
- Domestic Abuse WA12 CIC – £3,000
- Rainford Boxing Academy – £3,000
- Think FAST – £3,000
- No Duff CIC – £3,000
- Wonderland Community Centre – £2,700
- Wildcard ABC – £2,940
- Rockets Community Club – £3,000
- St Helens Swimming Club – £3,000
- Park Farm Community Centre – £3,000
- St Helens Darts Academy – £2,000
- Vision 4 You CIC – £2,900