Probation board to give NW firms £100k

THE Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) will pump £100k into projects in Londonderry and Strabane this year including conservation schemes, age concern and alcohol counselling.

Each year PBNI provides over £1million 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.

This year in the North West £92,428 funding was allocated to help make local communities safer.

Area Manager for the North West, Nicola Barr 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 benefited in the Derry area include Conservation NI, Strabane Community Project, Age Concern, Northlands, and North West Counselling. Many of the organisations that have benefited provide programmes aimed at turning around the lives of offenders 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.”