Projects benefit from Probation Board funding

REACT and the Restore Project received some of the £64,725 set aside for the Banbridge and Newry areas.

Each year the Probation Board for Northern Ireland provides over £1 million in community development funding to groups and organisations across Northern Ireland offering services that seek to challenge and change the attitudes and behaviour of offenders.

Area Manager for Rural South, Stephen Hamilton said, “Probation is committed to working collaboratively with partners and local communities to address issues and seek solutions related to those at risk of offending and re-offending. Our community development budget is used to provide financial assistance to organisations that provide services to challenge and change the behaviour of offenders.

“Groups that benefitted in the Newry and Portadown area include the ‘REACT’ organisation and the ‘Restore Project’ in Banbridge. Many of the organisations that have benefited provide programmes aimed at turning around people’s lives and help support probation’s community service scheme.

“The key to reducing crime and making local communities safer is undoubtedly partnership working and we look forward to working closely with all local groups and organisations to improve community safety and reduce crime and fear of crime.”