Voting is now open for the ‘Your Community Your Choice Awards’ – giving the public an opportunity to vote for local community projects to receive a cash boost.

 

‘Your Community, Your Choice’ is a joint initiative that has been made possible with funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner together with money made available through assets seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

£60,000 is available to community groups across North Wales to support  projects that aim to keep our communities safe at this hugely difficult time.

Several community groups in Bangor have already benefitted from the awards, including Bangor Gymnastics Club, Maesgeirchen Boxing Club and Hwb Westend Youth Club.

Two Bangor Projects have applied this year and are now asking for your vote for a share of the money. Community groups can win up to £2,500 for their projects.

Bangor City Hockey Club/ Clwb Dinas Bangor Hockey – Hockey for all project

“Due to the reduced number of clubs in North Wales running hockey sessions our aim is to continue to provide the opportunity to the community to try, return to or continue to play hockey

“Running an amateur sports club requires a significant personal commitment from unpaid volunteer committee members, coaches and umpires.

“In the last 12 months a number of clubs based in north Wales have s folded due to the challenges and time commitment required to run a successful amateur sports club.. Bangor City Hockey Club has subsequently seen an increase in senior membership and attendance at training and continues to attract players to its junior hockey sessions.

“The aim of the club is to continue to provide inclusive, fun and quality opportunities for people in the community to try, return to or continue to play hockey.

“Coronavirus has an impact on the club and its members and we aim to maintain quality and affordable training for players, with subsidies for those experiencing financial hardship. This funding would enable to carry on our work.”

Pontio, Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor University – Take it to the Street Project

“As the Covid pandemic continues to impact all our lives, young people feel as though they have been left behind. Since the first lockdown, Maesgeirchen has seen a notable increase in anti-social behaviour from young people, with reports that residents of the estate feel unsafe. Bangor is also a County Lines hotspot. In partnership with Maesgerchen’s community group, MaesNi, this project will help to address these problems through engaging young people with the Arts.

“We will work with local artists from the estate and surrounding areas who have a track record of working with young people and even encouraging them to pursue new-found interests. Sessions will not be timetabled, so young people will not know where and when the next session will happen. From our work in Pontio, we have learnt that this is the best way to reach young people who are difficult to engage.

“The local neighbourhood policing team will be informed of every session and they have agreed to try and part take in as many as possible. They would be additional support if any serious issues arise.”

Voting

Members of the public can vote for their favourite project in each county from 18th January to 12th February 2021. The three projects with the most votes in each county/section will be the ones to receive financial support.

Click on this link and scroll down Gwynedd to select your preferred project: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YCYC21

Photo: Bangor City Hockey Club