Wed 20 May - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 3mins
Derby County Community Trust has secured funding from the Premier League Kicks Police Partnership Fund that aims to build stronger connections between professional football clubs and their local police forces.
The Community Trust has received £20,000 from the Premier League, match-funded by Derbyshire Constabulary, to deliver a project that addresses the issue of serious drug-related violence affecting young people across Derbyshire.
Inclusion Team Leader, Zack Yates, said: “This funding will give us the chance to reach young people long before violence reaches them.
“It means we can step in with support, guidance and real opportunities at the moment they need it most. Ultimately, promoting safer futures within our local communities.”
Inspector Ben Frearson, from Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “It is so important for young people at risk of becoming involved in crime to have somewhere they feel like they belong.
“The Premier League Kicks programme will be a great opportunity for them to get involved in something extremely positive, as well as be part of a group and meet people their own age through a love of football.
“Preventing crime is key to our work. This is absolutely a preventative measure, and by intervening with these young people early, we know this can make a massive difference in the future path that they take.
“It has been great to work alongside Derby County Community Trust and embed this, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on those who come through it.”
Derby County Community Trust is one of more than 40 professional football club charities across England and Wales to receive a share of £900,000 of funding from the Premier League to develop Police Partnerships projects aimed at strengthening community relationships and reducing the risk of reoffending.
This Premier League investment is match-funded by police forces, alongside additional contributions from statutory partners, including Violence Reduction Units and Police Crime Commissioners. Together, this brings the total investment into local communities to more than £2 million.
Through this funding, club charities will work with their local police forces to inspire young people to reach their potential, providing them with positive opportunities, which divert them from possible involvement in anti-social behaviour, crime and youth violence.
Derby County Community Trust will deliver targeted outreach in partnership with Derbyshire Constabulary and community agencies to identify and engage young people most at risk. Delivery will take place through Premier League Kicks, the Premier League’s longest-standing community programme, which provides young people with access to free weekly football and multi-sport sessions, mentoring and education workshops. The work will take place in key identified at-risk areas, including Arboretum, Darley Abbey in Derby, alongside Newbold and Grangewood in Chesterfield.
By providing safe, inclusive and inspiring environments, the project will help participants to build confidence, develop positive relationships and access meaningful opportunities.
This latest investment from the Premier League and police forces builds on the 2023-2025 Police Partnerships Pilot, through which the Premier League and police forces jointly invested more than £1 million into local communities.
