New Community Safety and Building Security Fund for Voluntary, Community and Faith Sefton Organisations in Southport Launched
As part of the Southport Recovery Programme, Sefton CVS in partnership with Sefton Council have launched a new Community Safety and Building Security Fund for Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) Sector organisations based in and supporting residents of Southport.
The fund will provide capital grants of up to £5,000 to help local organisations carry out essential building security improvements, ensuring that community spaces remain safe, welcoming and resilient for local people. In exceptional cases, awards above this amount may be considered.
Who can apply?
The grant fund is open to:
- Registered charities, including charitable incorporated organisations (CIO’s)
- Constituted organisations and non-registered charities
- Community interest companies (CIC’s) limited by guarantee and community benefit organisations (where there is a minimum of three unrelated directors)
- Faith based groups
Organisations must be based in Southport and supporting local residents. Applicants are also required to demonstrate good governance, safeguarding policies, and financial accountability.
What can be funded?
Grants will fund essential building security measures and community safety projects such as:
Electronic Security: CCTV, security lighting, alarms, access control, emergency communication systems, and remote monitoring.
Physical Security: Reinforced doors, window protection, secure storage, fencing, shutters, and roller doors.
Community Safety Training: Personal risk awareness, knife crime prevention, domestic abuse awareness, and challenging hate crime.
Who cannot apply?
The fund is not open to public sector bodies (e.g. NHS trusts), schools, PTAs delivering school projects, private businesses, or projects linked to residential buildings. Funding will also not cover start-up costs, general building repairs, staffing, or ongoing running costs.
Supporting community resilience
Cllr Liz Dowd, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement, said:“Southport’s voluntary, community and faith groups continue to be an unwavering pillar of support to our residents.
“This fund is about giving them the tools to keep their spaces safe, welcoming and open to all. Whether it’s a local hall, a place of worship, or a community centre, these are places where people can come together and support one another.
“I’m delighted to see this investment in our grassroots organisations and I encourage all eligible groups to apply as this is a real opportunity to strengthen the foundations of our Borough even further.”
Meet the Funder Session
Southport Voluntary, Community and Faith groups wanting to learn more about the fund can register to attend a Meet the Funder session taking place online on Thursday 25 September, 11am – 12pm.
Sefton CVS’s Group Development Officer Neil Gibson will be running the session, providing an overview of the fund, including a breakdown of the criteria and will be able to support groups with any questions.
You can book your place here…
How to apply
Applications are now live. Full guidance, eligibility criteria, and application forms are available by visiting;