Projects across Gwent will soon be using cash seized from criminals to make a positive difference in their communities.

A total of 90 projects run by charities, voluntary organisations and community groups (from nearly 170 applications) have been awarded a slice of £218,246 awarded by Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert from his Partnership Fund.

The scheme is funded by the proceeds of crime awarded to the police and from the sale of unclaimed found property.

It includes money seized from organised crime and convicted drug dealers who have been ordered to pay back their ill-gotten gains.

Each group was able to apply for up to £10,000 and had to demonstrate how their project would deliver against specific areas of focus highlighted by the Commissioner which include preventing crime; protecting people from serious harm; taking more effective action to tackle anti-social behaviour; and providing better opportunities for some of the most vulnerable and excluded people in the community.

Among the successful groups in the Abergavenny area were:

• The Vision of Hope Animal Assisted Therapy project in Gilwern - £5,000.

• The Friends of Castle Meadows - £271.

• Abergavenny Town Girls and Ladies FC - £1,600

• First Gilwern Scouts - £500.

• Parochial Church Council of St Teilo’s - £500.

• Cyfannol Women’s Aid - Monmouthshire and Torfaen - £1,500.

• Monmouth Male Voice Choir - £500.

• Heritage United AFC, Blaenavon - £1,040.

?The Vision of Hope project is based on Wenallt farm near Gilwern.

The 18 acre farm was purchased by the founders and Directors of the charity, Dinah Sansome and her husband David, six years ago. Dinah, who has been awarded an MBE for her services to charity, has been working with the homeless since 1968 and has been sharing her homes with offenders to help rehabilitate them since 1980.

The couple have supported more than 7,000 people over the years.?Dinah and David have opened their home to ex-offenders and young people recovering from substance misuse so that they can benefit from on-site treatment and therapy relating to the care of animals.

The farm houses up to ten young people who are referred from prisons, charities, social services, housing and other organisations.

The young people live and work on the farm with Dinah and her husband. They receive visits from the probation service and substance misuse workers and have all the support that they need. ?

The therapy helps them build trust and bonds with the animals and several of the residents have gone on to build lives in the local community and work for the charity, either permanently or as volunteers.

The £5,000 award will help the project to buy agricultural tools, a poultry incubator, the services of an instructor and a moveable animal shelter.