COMMUNITY groups from across Gwent are celebrating today after receiving shares of a £75,000 funding pot in a grant giving ceremony.

The ‘Community Fund: Your Voice, Your Choice’ grant making event selected 26 projects from hundreds of applicants, giving them a chance to bid for sums of up to £5,000.

The event — which took place at Newport Civic Centre —is a partnership between the Gwent High Sheriff’s Community Fund and the Officer of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Over one hundred people attended the event today showcasing a wide range of projects from community arts groups and youth centres to schemes tackling domestic violence and abuse.

Each group was invited to make two-minute presentations and visitors voted on a scale of one to 10 to help decide the winners.

On the day, 22 groups were successful in their bids, receiving a combined total of around £74,000.

Gwent PCC, Jeff Cuthbert, speaking at the event, said: “I know that it’s very difficult for a lot of groups as money is very very tight.

“Nevertheless, it’s essential that we do what we can together with key partners like the High Sheriff’s department to make sure that good work in the community is properly rewarded.”

Newport projects received a £18,708 share of the funding pot which was split between several projects.

Ninth North Newport Brownies will use funding to take youngsters on a family adventure weekend in Brecon while Newport Women’s Aid will use funding to support domestic abuse victims.

The Kaleidoscope Project will use its £1,800 funding to add to its service supporting people with drug and alcohol abuse issues, while Gwent Music will use £5,000 to expand its workshops.

The Newport City Council-run music scheme will also give youngsters performance and workshop opportunities across the region through the Regional Festival of Music.

Stow Hill Access Resource and Enterprise Centre (SHARE CENTRE), will use £4,000 funding to offer a weekly citizenship group for youngsters to promote learning and “share experiences” of different cultures.

Maindee Festival Association (MFA) were also successful, receiving a £2,000 grant to work with pupils representing “30 different cultures at Maindee Primary School”.

This will include a multi-cultural celebration of the school’s diversity as part of the Maindee Festival parade in July this year.

Alison Starling, of the MFA, said: “We are absolutely delighted and really thrilled. We think this work is important to engage with different cultures and communities at the school.

“The community engagement is key to this. It’s just as important as the art.”

Ismael Velasco, of the MFA, added the project is about “starting a conversation that is transformative”.

Speaking about the project, he added: “It’s not just something that is created but that transforms the situation and environment for the children and wider community.”

Community projects from across Torfaen were also successful in the fund, receiving a combined total of around £28,710.

Winners included Blaenavon Pact Youth Panel — who will work with young people promote Blaenavon’s World Heritage Site — and other projects such as Northville Community Group and Parents of Play Information Torfaen (POPIT).

Friends of Henllys Local Nature Reserve were awarded £4,000 to improve access on the reserve by building a 200m path and working with school pupils and volunteers.

Youth group Randomz, who “lost everything” when their premises were destroyed by fire earlier this year also received £4,980 funding to build a new workshop.

Project officer at Randomz, James Taylor, said he was “over the moon” with the funding decision.

“I was a bit nervy at the start but it’s a relief to hear it. It’s going to make a massive difference as after the fire we had to start again.

“We can pull together now, put the money in the right places and get the young people back doing what they want to do”.

TOG’s Disabled Childrens Centre, in New Inn, and Torfaen Sea Cadets also received funding.

Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent projects were awarded £9,500 each, with funding split between three projects in each area.

Tredegar Thespians received £2,000 while Pan Gwent People First received a funding boost to make short films raising awareness of abuse.

Three Monmouthshire projects also received £7,420 collectivel.

Cyfannol Women’s Aid will use their share to tackle domestic abuse and Mayhem Theatre will use their grant to stage a production of Les Miserables.

The event was hosted by Gwent’s High Sheriff, Anthony Clay DL, who thanked Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert for match funding his fundraising total and “adding further to the pot”.

“It just wouldn’t be the same without you”, Mr Clay DL said.

The High Sheriff, closing the event, thanked Newport City Council’s Mayor, cllr David Atwell, the funders who “issued the grants” and the visitors who took part.

He also announced plans to hold next year’s event in Caerphilly county borough.

Below is the full list of groups that were awarded funding.

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NEWPORT

Maindee Festival Association, £2,000

Stow Hill Access Resource and Enterprise Centre (SHARE Centre) £3,990

Ninth North Newport Brownies, 1,008

Gwent Music, £5,000

Newport Women’s Aid. £4,910

The Kaleidoscope Project, £1,800

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TORFAEN

Parents of Play Information (POPI) £4,000

Northville Community group, £3,330

Blaenavon Pact Youth Panel, £4,400

Randomz, £4,980

Friends of Henllys Local Nature Reserve, £4,000

Torfaen Sea Cadets, £4,000

TOG’s Disabled Children’s Centre £4,000

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CAERPHILLY

Graig Y Rhacca Community Resource Centre. £4,000

Blackwood Musical Theatre Society £500

Senghenydd Youth Drop In Centre, £5,000

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BLAENAU GWENT

Tredegar Thespians, £2,000 275

Nantyglo & Blaina Squadron Air Training Corps, £3,600

Pan Gwent People First £3,942

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MONMOUTHSHIRE

Bridge to Cross Charitable Trust. £2,500

Mayhem Youth Theatre Group, £1,500

Cyfannol Women’s Aid (project will be based in Monmouthshire) £3,420