Money seized from criminals used by young people to build brighter futures
The Mayor's Safer Communities Fund takes money recovered from criminal activities, and grants it to community-based projects that are making their local area safer.
27 February 2024
Young people in Leeds are building brighter futures, thanks to money seized from the hands of criminals.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin’s, Safer Communities Fund takes money recovered from criminal activities by police and prosecutors, and grants it to community-based projects that are making their local area safer. Since 2021, the fund has given out over £2.3 million.
Building Futures Together is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based at Pudsey firm G&H Group, a mechanical, electrical, and public health (MEP) provider. Building Futures Together provides young people with hands-on learning experience and insights into the construction industry. With a grant of £7905 from the fund, they are delivering plumbing and electrical training sessions to young people aged 13 to 16.
The sessions combine practical experience with Maths and English skills, and aim to develop employability, improve self-esteem, and encourage ambition.
Today (27 February), West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, visited Building Futures Together’s state-of-the-art facilities to meet with co-founders Graham Kelly and John Thornton, and some of the students, to find out more about their programme.
Speaking at the visit, Deputy Mayor Lowe said:
“Here in West Yorkshire, we’re sending a clear message that crime doesn’t pay.
“It is fantastic that we can re-invest money taken from criminals back into projects working to support people in our communities, just like Building Futures Together.
“Their work goes far beyond teaching practical skills. They are encouraging these young people to be ambitious, believe in themselves, and reach their full potential, all important life lessons that I have no doubt will stay with them for years to come.”
Graham Kelly, co-founder of Building Futures Together and chairman of G&H Group said:
“A key part of G&H Group’s social value strategy is to support young people and provide a route into the construction industry.
“Building Futures Together was created to provide a nurturing and structured environment where young people receive hands-on learning and insight. The funding received from the West Yorkshire Mayor makes a real difference and ensures students have access to vocational learning and a stepping stone to a future career in the construction sector.
“It was a pleasure to host Alison and showcase the positive difference John and the Building Futures Together team are making in the local community.”
Building Futures Together is G&H Group’s in-house training centre. Since its foundation in 2020, it has been delivering programmes aimed at keeping young people in education, employment or training.
In the past year, the Community Interest Company has supported over 1000 young people with vocational training and aims to deliver a further 200 sessions over the 2023/2024 academic year.
Established in 1998, G&H Group’s 180-strong experienced team design, manage, deliver and maintain every aspect of MEP schemes.
To find out more about the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund and the projects it supports, visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/mscf/
