Preston project benefits from seized criminal cash

Preston project benefits from seized criminal cash

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw has visited a Preston project helping people rebuild their lives through sport, mentoring and positive support after it received funding through money seized from criminals.

The Commissioner visited Fishwick Rangers Youth & Community Development Scheme, which has received funding through the Commissioner’s Community Fund to deliver its Sports Tackling Adverse Experiences (STAE) programme.

Funded through the Member of Parliament strand of Commissioner Grunshaw’s fund, the project supports people who have experienced challenges including poor mental health, substance misuse, social isolation and contact with the criminal justice system. Between 10 to 15 people are currently attending sessions as part of the programme.

Using football, padel and boxing as a way of engaging participants, the project combines regular physical activity with mentoring and wider support to help individuals build confidence, improve wellbeing and develop positive routines.

During the visit, the Commissioner met staff and participants involved in the scheme and heard how the project is helping people make healthier choices, strengthen support networks and access opportunities that can improve their future prospects.

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:

“It was fantastic to visit Fishwick Rangers and see first-hand the positive impact this project is having on people’s lives.

“Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, build confidence and create opportunities. By using activities such as football, padel and boxing to engage participants, this programme is helping people overcome challenges and make positive changes.

“My Community Fund is all about reinvesting money taken from criminals back into local communities. Projects like this demonstrate how that funding can help people reach their potential, reduce vulnerability and build safer, stronger communities.”

The STAE programme is designed to support participants over the longer term, helping them improve their physical and mental wellbeing while providing access to guidance, mentoring and community support.

By creating positive opportunities and trusted relationships, the project aims to help people move away from negative influences and develop the skills and confidence needed to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Fayyaz Ahmed MBE from Fishwick Rangers said:

“Sport has a unique power to break down barriers and meet people exactly where they are. For individuals navigating the complexities of poor mental health, substance misuse, homelessness, or the criminal justice system, our sessions offer far more than just physical activity—they provide a safe, consistent space built on trust, routine, and mutual respect.

“We see first-hand how simply being part of a team can shatter social isolation, rebuild self-esteem, and offer a positive, alternative pathway for people to reclaim control over their lives and rewrite their own stories.”

Sir Mark Hendrick MP, Member of Parliament for Preston said:

“I was pleased to nominate Fishwick Rangers and their Sports Tackling Adverse Experiences (STAE) project to receive around £10,000 from my Member of Parliament Sponsored Grants scheme.

“The project works with vulnerable people affected by substance misuse, poor mental health and involvement with the criminal justice system.

“Fishwick Rangers has a good track record of working with young people and their communities using support workers with lived experience. Sport, physical active, mentoring and volunteer placements were used to boost participants’ self-esteem, prevent relapse and encouragement to engage positively with further volunteering opportunities.

“A key priority of the MP Sponsored Grant Scheme is to ‘Tackle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour’ and ‘Get Tough on Serious Violent Crime’. This project achieves this by proactively engaging individuals to adopt healthy and responsible lifestyles with the added benefit of having a ripple effect on their peers.

“I am pleased that through this fund and project there is a cohort of young people in Preston who have been helped in their personal journeys towards living a healthier, less isolated, socially responsible life. Hopefully they will all consider giving back by volunteering, which I am told they often do.”

Find out more about the fund at https://www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/grant-funding/commissioners-member-of-parliament-fund/