A CHARITY based in Rugby has received a windfall to help it to re-settle ex-offenders.
Futures Unlocked has been given £90,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The charity, based at the Hope Centre in Newbold Road, has been helping to rehabilitate people released from prison since 2006.
In that time, they have worked with over 900 clients from across Warwickshire, as well as a variety of agencies, businesses and charities, to reduce re-offending rates and support ex-prisoners in leading crime-free lives.
Futures Unlocked has 33 voluntary mentors, who support their clients in the important first few months after they are released – meeting them at the gates of prison and providing them with help to get their lives back on track.
The National Lottery funding will ensure the charity can continue to train new mentors and provide tailored support for clients, due to the increasingly complex referrals it is receiving. Currently it is supporting 45 individuals, some of whom are still incarcerated and awaiting release.
Treasurer David Procter said: “Without the funding provided by the National Lottery Community Fund we would not be able to provide support to our clients to resettle them back into the community at the end of their custodial sentence.
“We have shown over the years that supporting ex-offenders that they can lead crime free lives, resettle into the community which in itself will make our communities safer.”
Futures Unlocked staff welcomed Rugby MP Mark Pawsey and High Sheriff of Warwickshire David Kelham, to discuss the charity’s work.
Mr Pawsey said: “Futures Unlocked is doing great work to cut re-offending rates and help ex-prisoners in Rugby turn their lives around.
“The £90,000 grant from the National Lottery’s Community Fund will enable them to continue to expand what they are doing and provide valuable support to those released from prison and help them navigate those all important first few days and weeks after their release.
“I was also interested to hear about the growing complexity of the referrals they are receiving, and how the grant will help them to provide more tailored support for their clients.”
Each client that Futures Unlocked works with can receive up to a year-long commitment to help them return to community life. Reoffending is 30 per cent lower among its clients.
Visit www.futuresunlocked.org for more information.
