Organisations, charities and voluntary groups in Devon have revealed how being recipients of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) Community Grant Scheme is tackling drug and alcohol related antisocial behaviour, reducing crime, and helping victims.
Each year, the OPCC awards funding to projects that support the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan priorities and her specifically chosen annual theme.
This financial year, £200,000 was distributed by Devon Community Foundation and Cornwall Community Foundation to 41 projects with a focus on crime prevention measures, tackling drug and alcohol related antisocial behaviour, and preventing violence against women and girls.
Additional funding is annually available from the Police Property Act Fund which varies each year as it is funded by the sale of seized goods by the police.
Among the Devon recipients of the latest Community Grant Scheme is Addicts to Athletes which was awarded £5,000 – the biggest grant it has received – to support core costs, train volunteers and purchase equipment.
The benefits of physical activity to help adults overcome substance misuse is seen on a weekly basis by the north Devon-based charitable organisation. It is run by five qualified leaders who all work full-time and volunteer their time at weekends to help others having been through similar experiences themselves.
It offers free ongoing mental health support, fitness sessions and peer support for those suffering with addiction, including drugs, alcohol and gambling.
The wide range of sporting activities include coasteering, running, cycling, bouldering, tennis, badminton and surfing. Addicts to Athletes also provides a clothes bank to supply people with sportswear and equipment, if required, so that they can take part in activities.
Its founder, Connor Shannon, is a Recovery Worker for Together drug and alcohol service in Devon and he also has lived experience of substance misuse.
The 29-year-old became addicted to ‘legal highs’ when he was a teenager and credits his recovery with having found a passion for running. It developed into launching his own YouTube Channel to inspire other addicts to embrace fitness and he then set up his own charitable organisation in November 2023.
Connor said: “One of my goals was to make our organisation accessible to everyone. When it comes to activities, you name it we’ve probably done it.
“It’s really rewarding to see people’s journey from that first session to building up their fitness and then loving life.
“It’s about relapse prevention and as relapse can happen at any time there is not cut off time how long people can keep joining in activities. Our events get people out socialising and fit at the same time.”
The long-term aim is to expand the charitable organisation across other areas of Devon such as Exeter, Okehampton and Plymouth. Other plans in the pipeline include launching a women’s only group and gym-based activities.
Addicts to Athletes currently has around 30 regular service users. Among them is 61-year-old former firefighter and motorbike enthusiast Andy, of Barnstaple. He was medically retired in 2002 due to suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and turned to drinking as a coping mechanism.
His alcohol use spiralled to drinking two bottles of wine every night affecting both his physical and mental health. Last year, Andy took the brave step of going to his GP who referred him to Together where he receives group support. Andy has now been sober for 10-and-a-half months.
He said: “It has been life-changing. Through Together, Connor introduced me to Addicts to Athletes. I was reasonably fit but I had let myself go. I have since took part in many activities including coasteering, tennis, badminton, hiking and running.
“My confidence started to come back and the physical activities have really helped my mental health which has always been a problem. I lost 3st last year and I am now pre-diabetic, whereas before I was taking insulin.
“All the participants have one thing in common; we are all addicts and that’s what makes it a very supportive group. It’s great being around other people who understand because they have very similar problems.
“The biggest difference has been to my mental health. I was at my lowest point at the beginning of 2024. I’m now a lot calmer and much happier. My PTSD is still there, but at a level that is now manageable.”
There’s no criteria to join Addicts to Athletes other than pledging to not be under the influence of any substance while taking part in activities. Self-referrals can be made by visiting www.addictstoathletes.org
Another recipient of the OPCC Community Grant Scheme is a vital youth work project in Torrington called Torri Youth that is helping to reduce anti-social behaviour, prevent drug taking and reduce the risks of child exploitation within the town and surrounding areas.
Outreach workers run detached projects at local parks and areas youths are known to congregate, as well as having a base at Torrington Methodist Church to run projects all year round. It provides an opportunity to offer support and information and develop their personal, social and education skills.
For the past two years, the OPCC has awarded £5,000 annually to help it deliver those projects. This year’s funding has been used to purchase equipment to engage youngsters aged between 10 and 17 years old in fun activities such as Nerf gun battles, smoothie making in the park and jewellery making.
It has also been used to help youths complete online courses to gain training certificates such as first aid and food hygiene, and has helped fund youth worker wages.
In a 10-month period from September 2024, Torri Youth – a non-religious group – has had 395 engagements with its project sessions.
A regular participant said: “It’s fun to have something to do after school on a Friday as there’s nothing else to do. I’d just be sat at home doing nothing.
“They do things in the park and the church, and we do nice activities every week.”
Another regular face at Torri Youth added: “It’s really warm and welcoming here. I’ve done things like laser tag, dodge ball and cricket. Sometimes we stay in the church and do things like arts and crafts or just have a chat.”
Senior Youth Worker Paula Fuller says its projects open up a vital line of engagement and communication with youngsters at a time when they often need it most, leading to positive outcomes in both the short and long term.
She said: “Without this there would be nothing for them. When we set up Torri Youth, we didn’t want it to be generic youth group which is why we do outreach work as well as activities within the church building.
“We plan the activities with the youngsters so it comes directly from them and they also help with fundraising.
“One of our youngsters has been coming since she was 11 and is a senior member who we would like to support further if she wants to become a youth worker.
“Our long-term aim is to grow the number of youth workers we have – but that takes time and money.”
Among those who have received funding under the Police Property Act Fund is Surviving Abuse Northern Devon (SAND) – a confidential, specialist counselling and support service for all adults who have experienced recent or historical sexual violence.
Based in Barnstaple, SAND offers in-person, low-cost, trauma-informed therapeutic support, as well as online and telephone options. The service also supports friends and family members who are in a caring role.
SAND has received funding support from the OPCC since 2017. Its current additional grant – £5,000 from the OPCC’s Police Property Act Fund – is helping to deliver the crucial Women’s Peer Support Group which provides trauma-informed, therapeutic support for women who have experienced sexual violence.
The benefits of peer support are many, including reducing isolation, building confidence, fostering connection and resilience, and offering a space where survivors feel seen, heard and understood by others who truly relate. It’s a powerful, resource-effective way to support healing and empower women to rebuild their lives.
SAND is also exploring the logistics of introducing a men’s group this autumn.
The groups take place in a safe and welcoming environment, held by experienced therapeutic counsellors. There is no waiting list, and participants are invited to contribute affordable donations to help ensure the groups can continue running regularly.
SAND CEO Josephine Knight said: “SAND is a small but incredible organisation that’s very much needed in our community; there’s nothing else quite like it. We receive two to three new referrals every week, with ages ranging from 18 to 80 years old.
“Here, people are met with love and care. It doesn’t take much, but it can change a life. Our Women’s Peer Support Group provides a safe space for women to come together, feel supported, and begin to heal.
“It’s a brave step to join the group, but when women do, they often find it really effective. Many leave feeling ready to reconnect with the wider community. The group is facilitated by two experienced therapists and runs for 12 weeks, with 90-minute sessions each week.
“The OPCC has been brilliant to us and has stood by our service since day one.”
SAND accepts both self and supported referrals from both men and women who have experienced a sexual violence in their lives. For more details, visit: www.survivingabuse.org.uk
Applications for this year’s grants will open in early September. Further details will be shared at a later date by Devon Community Foundation and Cornwall Community Foundation.
Police Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “The importance of these grants can never be underestimated. I am thrilled to hear the positive difference our funding is making to achieve my Police and Crime Plan priorities.
“The scheme has now been running for a number of years and each year I enjoy hearing about the great work which has been enabled by this investment.”
