Community Counts – get the help and resources to help your family or organisation
Welcome to the Community Counts column on Hello Lincoln – a round-up of the news from the groups, schemes and organisations that may just be able to provide the support or help you or your family need.
Much of the information in this first column has been supplied by Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Partnership, but we’re inviting all groups working in the wider community to get in touch with their news.
Email
And don’t forget you can find out what lots of organisations are up to through the pages of our What’s On guide – just click on the blue button link on this page.
Serious Crime study
The University of Lincoln has been commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Lincolnshire to conduct a mapping study of projects that address serious violence across the county.
Serious violence is defined as murder, assault with injury/intent, public disorder/affray, robbery, domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault.
The study will aim to establish what projects currently exist that offer strategies to prevent and respond to serious violence – these can be services or programmes specifically designed to prevent serious violence or support those affected by it.
Any intervention that may potentially contribute to the prevention of serious violence, even though this may not be its primary purpose, such as a youth club, education or awareness-raising programme for example are eligible for inclusion in the study.
The data collected will be used to create an interactive service map providing details of all existing provision across Lincolnshire and to inform future commissioning decisions and funding bids.
If the project is due to end within the next 12 months, please still complete the form.
WARNING: This study will be exploring serious violence, please read the information on the link carefully before deciding to take part - https://lincscvp.org.uk/serious-violence-duty-service-mapping-in-lincolnshire-study/
Safeguarding Neurodiverse Young People: Recognising Radicalisation Risks and Building Resilience – workshops
These free workshops aim to provide parents and carers with the knowledge and skills to help them identify and intervene when a neuro diverse young person may be being radicalised into extremism.
Research and statistics have shown that neurodiverse young people, particularly those who are autistic, are far more likely to be referred to the Prevent scheme than others.
This workshop aims to explore the reasons for this, including why some of these referrals may be inappropriate.
Courses are being held across the East Midlands, including four virtual and one in-person session specific to Lincolnshire. The latter will be held at Myle Cross in Lincoln.
These workshops are particularly relevant to parents and carers of autistic teenage boys.
Members of support groups or professionals who work closely with these families are also welcome on the training.
These sessions will:
- Explore how to recognise when a young person might be at risk of radicalisation
- Support you to manage challenging conversations around online safety and wellbeing
- Help distinguish between red flags and everyday neurodiverse behaviours
- Support you to connect with local safeguarding provision
When, Where and How to Book
For the free Online Sessions only the dates are below.
- Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 10am to 12pm
- Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 7pm to 9pm
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 1pm to 3pm
- Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 10am to 12pm
To book your place please follow this link to the Eventbrite website.
The free In-Person event is on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 1pm to 3pm at the Myle Cross Centre, 92 Macaulay Drive, Lincoln. LN2 4EN
To book your place, please follow this link to the Eventbrite website.
Drive Well, Live Well
Become a Wellbeing Volunteer Driver and make a difference in 2026
Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) has launched the Wellbeing Volunteer Driver campaign in partnership with Lincoln Dial-a-Ride – and needs local people to take part.
What is a Wellbeing Volunteer Driver?
A wellbeing volunteer driver is a lifeline for someone who might otherwise struggle to get out and about. By offering a lift to a regular group or activity, you help people build friendships, boost confidence, and feel part of something again.
It’s not just about transport – it’s about connection.
Loneliness and social isolation are challenges many have to face quietly. A simple journey can open the door to friendship, wellbeing, and independence. As a wellbeing volunteer driver, you deliver more than miles – you deliver smiles.
There are lots of benefits in volunteering as a wellbeing driver including:
- Flexible volunteering – choose journeys that fit your schedule.
- Mileage reimbursed at 45p per mile.
- DBS provided – we will handle the checks.
- Social and rewarding – meet new people and make a real difference.
- Providing essential transport and companionship for those who can’t use public transport or drive themselves.
Below are some examples of people who would benefit from a wellbeing volunteer driver.
- Elderly or isolated individuals.
- People with disabilities or illnesses.
- Those needing transport to doctors or hospital appointments, clinics, or chemotherapy for example.
- Young people who cannot drive that need to get to sessions or activities, where there are no local bus services.
- People who need to go shopping.
- People who need to take their pets to see a vet.
There are many needs for wellbeing drivers. Are you already driving someone to a group? Then you could be a wellbeing driver! Join the movement. Drive well, live well.
The Impact so Far
Wellbeing volunteer drivers have already covered enough miles to almost go to the moon and back twice, so If you have a car, a kind heart, and a little time to spare, then we would love to hear from you.
Send an email to
Or follow this link to the Volunteers Platform to see the list of current wellbeing volunteer driver opportunities available across Lincolnshire. You will need to register to view the opportunities, which is completely free!
Youth funding agreement due to end
The county council’s current grant funding agreement with the Lincolnshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services (LCVYS) is due to end on March 31.
The money currently supports LCVYS running costs, training, and networking opportunities for LCVYS member organisations delivering youth services in Lincolnshire.
It also funds small-scale youth projects and short-term grants for LCVYS member organisations, but a decision has yet to be made by the county authority about whether funding will continue.
To inform the decision-making process, the council is launching a consultation, asking people for their views.
Follow this link to the Lincolnshire County Council website to complete the public survey.
If you work for or represent an LCVYS member organisation - follow this link to the Lincolnshire County Council website to complete the stakeholder survey.
The consultation will close on Friday, January 30.