EX-OFFENDERS will get more help re-integrating back into the community thanks to a £130,000 grant handed to Rugby-based charity Futures Unlocked.
The money from Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Ball will be used to offer services to around 175 ex-offenders, recruit 30 more volunteer mentors and employ two more community chaplains.
The charity’s work has already reduced rates of re-offending in the county, which stand at just 17 per cent – 41 per cent below the national average.
Operations manager Rachel Hobson said: “This grant ensures we can support more ex-offenders to rebuild their lives and continue to reduce re-offending within the county making Warwickshire a safer county to live and work in.
“The support we provide includes meeting clients at the gate on the day of their release and helping them access housing, employment, training and friendship.
“Over six months, we build trusting relationships with ex-prisoners, encourage and support them in setting goals and improving their own life chances.”
The money is from a £1million fund set up by Mr Ball for community safety projects which address crime and disorder in the county.
“Futures Unlocked is a charity that is tackling a difficult problem and clearly making a real difference,” he said.
