- Area:
- Yorkshire and the Humber
- Programme:
- Reaching Communities
- Release date:
- 17 7 2012
A West Yorkshire project that supports male offenders to lead a positive and crime-free life on their release from prison is one of six projects across the region celebrating a much-needed injection of Lottery good cause cash today, totalling over £1.3million.
The funding comes from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme, which aims to help those most in need and build stronger communities.
West Yorkshire Chaplaincy Project (WYCCP) has received just over £250,000 to provide a range of ‘through the prison gate’ support from paid staff and highly trained volunteers to support offenders to re-settle into the community and lead meaningful lives. It is hoped this will help to reduce the reconviction rate and create happier and safer communities.
Offenders self-refer themselves to the project, showing a need for support and a desire to change. They are then visited by project staff and volunteers to identify their needs on release and come up with an action plan which includes things like attending relevant training courses, writing CVs, applying for jobs and taking up appropriate volunteering opportunities to increase their confidence and skills. Once they have gained employment they are supported to sustain it and can also be accompanied to appointments such as those with housing providers and probation.
Jane Daguerre, Director of WYCCP, said: “We support male prisoners leaving Leeds and Wealstun prisons. Men often leave prison with little or no support, nowhere to live, no prospect of a job and no apparent option other than to resume the activities that led them to being in prison.
“Currently more than 60% of men leaving Leeds prison re-offend at an enormous cost to families, local communities and society as a whole. Our committed workers and highly trained volunteers, some of whom are ex-offenders themselves, help men to change their lives by giving practical support and encouragement inside prison and in the community. Our work is effective and we are proud that our average reconviction rate is 32%.”
£113,537 also goes to Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme, to support isolated older people, particularly those who are experiencing the effects of memory loss or dementia. During the three-year project the group will set up a lunch club and offer a wider range of activities including music and singing classes. They will also recruit and train new volunteers to run the sessions. Events will also be held to raise awareness of the project in areas where there are a high number of older residents.
Also receiving funding this month is Paull Village Hall which will be undergoing a £464,000 makeover to turn it into a thriving hub in its rural community where people can experience isolation. The hall will offer a wide and varied range of services and activities including keep fit, adult education, antenatal classes, bingo and a youth club. It will work in partnership with community organisations to reach out to older people and raise awareness of leading a healthy lifestyle to the whole community.
Vanessa White, Head of Region for Yorkshire and the Humber said: “These projects are all great examples of how the Reaching Communities programme can help groups to reach out to people who may not have anyone else to turn to. Whether it’s a prison leaver who needs help to turn their life around or an older person who is feeling lonely, all of these projects will lend a helping hand to those who need it most.”
Further Information
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
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Notes to Editors
- The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
- BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since June 2004 BIG has awarded over £4.4bn.
- The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
- Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £28 billion has now been raised and more than 383,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
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