COMMUNITY support services across South Gloucestershire were focussed on by the police and crime commissioner during a community day.

Sue Mountstevens, Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner, met with members of South Gloucestershire council on Wednesday, January 15 for an ‘out and about’ day, to find out about five different community support services on offer to people across Yate, Staple Hill and Bedminster.

Mentoring young people, re-integrating offenders into the community and support for women who have experienced domestic abuse were amongst the services visited by Ms Mountstevens.

She said: “I am always astounded by the extent of available opportunities in the local community, provided by many selfless and caring individuals who truly care about their local communities.

"Visiting South Gloucestershire and the wider Bristol area highlighted the commitment of local people to making these areas a better place to live and work.”

She also visited Compass Project Bristol’s ‘Time to Recover’, a social enterprise project working to reintegrate drug using offenders into the community and Resound Bristol, who play a supportive role offering services and facilities designed to respond to the diverse needs of the community.

Ms Mountstevens was welcomed by Make it Mentoring to find out more about their objective of providing youth services and mentoring to groups of young people and visited Survive’s ‘Freedom Programme’, a group work project for women who have experienced domestic abuse, designed to assist women in their recovery from negative experiences and highlight the effects on children.

The day ended with a visit to the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership which is made up of councillors, voluntary and community organisations, private businesses and public agencies within Bristol wards of Southville and Bedminster.

Hannah Jones, involved in the Young People’s Radio Project in connection with the Partnership, a group who also received £1000 from the Commissioner’s Community Action Fund back in 2013 said: “The funding provided a platform to an amazing opportunity for young people to have a voice in their local community. It is excellent work experience and an effective method of building general confidence.”

If you would be interested in PCC Sue Mountstevens visiting you and your community or to find out more about the Commissioner’s Community Action Fund visit www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk, email pcc@avonandsomerset.police.uk or call 01275 816377.