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Handcrafted prison-leaver trainee working on a woodwork project

Prison Leavers

Working with recent prison leavers or those with an offending history is part of our aim to come alongside socially excluded people and help them to turn their own lives around.

In partnership with probations services across the North East, we offer a second chance to those that might not otherwise receive it.

Like all trainees, prison leavers across our hubs will work with support staff and have access to the advice and guidance they have to offer. Working in collaboration with other agencies, we work to build healthy coping strategies and provide holistic support that engages with individuals’ whole lives and provide an opportunity for a second chance.

We also host workshop sessions specifically intended for prison leavers. These training sessions not only enhance employment prospects, but also just provide a meaningful way for individuals to spend their time and an opportunity to work as part of a positive social network. It is our hope that community building in the workshop will become reflected in wider society and promote desistance.

Image depicting someone helping another person up a mountain

Testimonials

Changing Lives have been working in partnership with Handcrafted for some time, and have seen the improvements that they have made to the service since they first began. We see Handcrafted as a valuable partner, providing effective support to our residents, most of whom are socially excluded and have been given up on by other services.

Handcrafted provides a safe environment for residents, so that they can explore new skills, gain confidence and improve self-esteem. This has been demonstrated on a number of occasions, when residents have been given the support specific to their needs, staff have shown patience and understanding in dealing with individuals who can be very challenging.

We work very closely with Handcrafted and have formed a unique working partnership together, we have seen a massive difference in the confidence that our residents have when they have engaged in this service, and that is due to the staff at Handcrafted going the extra mile, to make a difference to our residents, showing empathy and understanding and without judgement.

Long may this continue…

Margaret M, Service Lead, Changing Lives