Merseyside Police donates £600,000 to local Youth Empowerment Scheme

Thousands of young people across Merseyside are set to benefit from a major investment in grassroots projects, as the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES Fund) continues for a third year.

This week, 30 community organisations have been confirmed as successful applicants for a share of £600,000 in funding to deliver diversionary activities designed to keep young people safe, supported and away from crime.

Jointly delivered by Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the YES Fund provides grants of £5,000–£25,000 for initiatives that give young people safe, positive opportunities and help steer them away from violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour.

Launched in 2024, this year’s investment builds on two highly successful years which have seen more than £1 million invested and nearly 25,000 young people supported across Merseyside.

From creative arts to sports, mentoring and mental health support, the funded projects span all five boroughs of Merseyside. Funding is targeted at areas most affected by violence and cuts to youth services, ensuring support reaches young people who need it most.

Projects will run throughout the year, with a particular focus on key periods such as the summer holidays, autumn half term, Halloween and Bonfire Night – times when young people are not in school, and risks can increase.

Examples of successful projects include:

Karma in the Community (Knowsley) – offering digital skills sessions for young people aged 11–18 who may be at risk of antisocial behaviour.
Community by Nature (Sefton) – providing forest-based play and wellbeing sessions for younger children to support early intervention.
Behind Bars Calisthenics Academy (Wirral) – delivering fitness and leadership programmes for young people vulnerable to exploitation and crime.
Merseyside Domestic Violence Services (Liverpool) – working with boys and young men to challenge harmful attitudes and prevent future violence.
Park Farm ACYP Centre (St Helens) – intensive one-to-one support for high-risk young people, offering consistent engagement and tailored interventions.

The YES Fund is jointly funded by the PCC and MVRP, with the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside managing delivery and supporting organisations to maximise their impact.

Building on the success of previous rounds, the scheme continues to prioritise early intervention, prevention and positive opportunities for young people under 25.

Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:

“The YES Fund is all about investing in our young people and giving them the opportunities they deserve to succeed.

“By supporting trusted community organisations across Merseyside, we are helping to create safe spaces, build confidence and open up new pathways for thousands of young people.

“This isn’t just about preventing crime – it’s about tackling the root causes, supporting young people at the right time and helping them make positive choices for their future.

“We know that when young people have access to positive activities, trusted support and opportunities to build skills and confidence, they are far less likely to be drawn into crime or exploitation.

“This funding is being targeted where it is needed most, supporting communities that have faced the greatest challenges and creating safer environments for young people to grow and thrive.

“I’m incredibly proud to continue this partnership with the Violence Reduction Partnership and to see the passion, innovation and dedication from groups working on the ground to make a difference every day.”

James Proctor, Programmes Director, Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside said:

“The grants panel had some extremely difficult decisions to make with many high-quality applications received.

“We are very pleased that 30 community projects and initiatives, from across the Liverpool City Region, have been supported with the YES funding to offer some really positive youth engagement from the summer holidays through to the end of March next year.

“We look forward to seeing and hearing about the positive impact these projects are able to deliver in their community.”