AN organisation is welcoming good news as its set to receive an almost £20,000 grant for its project for young people in the Maldon district.

A total of 20 organisations have been awarded a combined £370,499 from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit's (VVU) community grant programme.

The need for financial support within the voluntary sector was so strong that the Community Safety Development Fund of the Essex Police Fire & Crime Commissioner joined with the VVU to provide a larger combined pot of funds.

It was announced yesterday one of the recipients of the grant programme is Maldon & District Community Voluntary Service (CVS) due to its successful gaming project.

The organisation is supporting young people in Maldon through the Power of Gaming project - to build social connections and confidence through gaming.

The project is aimed at 13-19 year olds with sessions run in a social environment, both online and in person, with sessional workers who are there to help the youngsters feel comfortable.

Power of Gaming was a project set up by a local computer business in 2019 but this stopped due to Covid.

The project was able to relaunch last month at the Maldon Christmas Festival with a five hour gaming session thanks to a Livewell grant from Maldon District Council.

Read more: Successful gaming project for Maldon youngsters re-launched

Maldon and District CVS has been allocated £19,920 by the VVU community grant programme.

Not for profit Essex organisations could apply for up to £20,000 to deliver work which is proven to have a positive impact on priority issues for young people.

These priority issues were identified over the past 12 months through running listening workshops with young people across Essex.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “We know that if young people have the knowledge, the support and information, and the divisionary activities in place, they are less likely to become involved in crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

“The voluntary and not for profit sector work incredibly hard in communities with young people to provide them with this support.

“However, these organisations have been hit really hard financially over the last 18 months, while the need for their support within these communities has not gone away.

“After seeing the calibre of work happening across Essex to support our children, young people and their families, it was an easy decision to increase the level of funding to support more projects.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to fund so many varied initiatives and I look forward to seeing the work in action and the difference it makes to so many. Congratulations to all involved.”

The funding is for projects running from January 2022 through to March 2023.