Down with the Kids: Young Bristolians Given a Chance to Transform Their Local Area

Young Bristolians are being asked for their ideas to help reduce crime or anti-social behaviour and improve their local environment. The Safer Bristol Transformers’ Scheme is looking for more projects this year to fund up to £1000.  The first closing date for applications is 31 March and there will be a further round of applications considered every quarter.
 
“If young people, through their schools or youth group, come up with schemes to help improve particular problems which are affecting their local areas such as antisocial behaviour, crime and environmental problems like graffiti, we can provide funds to help them carry them out” said Jenny Dean, Community Safety Officer who coordinates the Transformers’ Scheme.  “We want to encourage young people, working with residents to identify problems in their local communities and come up with some solutions.”
 
The scheme, which has been running for three years, has so far funded 35 projects which have included building a community garden, performing a play on how to avoid distraction burglary and reducing graffiti at a communal laundry by painting a mural.

“We want to give young people opportunities to gain confidence and experience by working with others to look for solutions to improve their community” says Jenny. “The Transformer Scheme has backed some really exciting and unusual schemes thought up by young people to really help tackle some local problems in a positive way.”
 
Anyone wanting to apply for funding from the Transformer Fund can go to: www.bristol.gov.uk/transformers or ring 0117 9142222 and ask for Jenny or Lloyd.