THE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for West Mercia, John Campion, has opened up bidding for funding to support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

In May, the PCC secured an additional £434,000 from the government to help charities and organisations across West Mercia that offer support to victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence at any point in their life.

This additional funding is now open to services, that meet the criteria specified by the government, via a bidding process.

The PCC is encouraging services across West Mercia to apply, with bids particularly welcome from smaller, more specialist organisations, that support victims with disabilities, black and minority ethnics (BAME) and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups.

The bidding process is also open to services which are currently commissioned by the PCC, as well as those that aren’t.

Mr Campion says he is committed to ensuring the right help is available for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

“With this extra government funding I’m committed to ensuring we have the right support services in place and we are reaching as many victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence as possible," said the PCC.

“This funding will be crucial to so many services that have been forced to adapt during the current pandemic and I am looking forward to supporting more organisations that provide the help and advice that so many people rely on through their recovery process.”

Criteria as outlined by the government, along with an application form, can be found at: gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-funding-for-domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence-support-services

The closing date for bids is June 1 and completed bids need to be submitted to both Claire.richardson@westmercia.pnn.police.uk and Rebecca.youings@westmercia.pnn.police.uk