Police and Crime Commissioner supporting Faringdon’s Pump House Project
On Friday 17th February, Matthew Barber visited The Pump House Project to find out how £1,000 of funding, awarded via the PCC’s Community Fund, will support the running of their Community Owned Guidance Service (COGS).
The Pump House Project is a stand-alone charity that is based in a refurbished theatre in Faringdon. The Project aims to continuously create a versatile and vibrant, multi-purpose activity centre for the town and its surrounding area. It is an all year round facility, which endeavours to engage with groups and individuals from all sectors of the community with relevant, affordable and inclusive access.
An average of 500 people use the facility every week, hosting a variety of community activities including an all-ages weekly community café, elderly exercise, TaiChi, Parkour classes, singing for all, and a hub for Turning Point – Drug and Addiction Counselling.
Following his visit, Matthew said: “It was a pleasure to meet The Pump House Project team last week in Faringdon, to see first-hand how £1,000 of funding will support their Community Owned Guidance Service. COGS provides one to one counselling support to anyone aged 12-25 and is dealing with life’s challenges and stresses.
“I wish The Pump House Project all the best with their future work, and I look forward to continuing to visit more organisations in 2023 whose work supports my Police & Criminal Justice Plan for Thames Valley.”
Frances Wood, Chair for The Pump House Project, said: “The Pump House Project are very appreciative of the grant received from the Community Fund. In particular, the recognition shown to the COGS initiative for the counselling of children and young adults with mental health problems. The visit from the Police & Crime Commissioner, who met with Counsellors, viewed our new consultation rooms and met with the Landlord, was a further sign of this recognition.”
This visit was made as part of an ongoing programme of engagement work run by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, which will organise regular visits with the Police & Crime Commissioner, partners and funded organisations throughout 2023.
