Chesterfield project helping vulnerable young people receives praise and funds from PCC

The PCC met volunteers and coordinators at the A Spire Higher project, managed by Chesterfield FC Community Trust, for a first-hand insight into the work it undertakes with vulnerable people.

The project, which received funding worth £24,940 in the latest round of the PCC’s community action grant scheme, provides attendees with a mixture of one-to-one support, group work and physical activity.

It is a follow-on project to the award-winning A Spire Right programme – where participants are encouraged to get involved in positive activities to increase their personal development and self-esteem.

Project leaders aim to build on the work in the A Spire Higher project to help participants achieve and sustain freedom from drug and alcohol dependence and secure future educational and work opportunities.

Mr Dhindsa said: “A Spire Higher is making a meaningful difference to these people’s lives, helping them to overcome immediate difficulties as well as the barriers to employment and education.

“I would like to thank the project co-ordinators for giving me such a detailed and helpful insight into the work underway to turn vulnerable people from crime and dependencies, which we know devastates lives.”

Scott Atkinson, head of education and wellbeing at Chesterfield FC Community Trust, said: “We’re extremely grateful to the commissioner for his support to enable us to extend our award-winning work in helping people to achieve freedom from substance misuse addiction.

During the visit, Mr Dhindsa presented a cheque for the funding and met organisers of the club’s Camp Inspire programme, which offers activities for young people aged four to 18 throughout the summer holidays at the Technique Stadium.

This project was also successful in applying for a grant worth £8,000 from the PCC’s Initiatives Fund.