Warrington CFO Activity Hub and probation services celebrate achievements of People on Probation

Posted on 25/04/202318/09/2023 by rchapman

A recent collaboration with Halton and Warrington Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) and Warrington Co-financing Organisation (CFO) Activity Hub has seen the Hub deliver the first ever Interventions Alliance Engaging People on Probation event.

The event, which is a probation service initiative, showcases the achievements of People on Probation and awards them for their commitment on turning their lives around for the better.

The Hub was chosen to host following an event the Warrington PDU attended which saw their staff undertake a range of activities that participants would normally engage with, so they got a feel for the Hub and what if offers to People on Probation.

The PDU lead was keen to work with the Hub on their event and approached the team to discuss the feasibility and appropriateness of holding the event at the Hub. It was agreed that there was a mutual benefit in us hosting and we were happy to support to enable delivery.

The probation team nominated 11 Persons on Probation (PoP) with many Probation Practitioners in attendance to support the celebration as well as to encourage the PoPs to enrol and benefit from the wide-ranging delivery of supportive activities and interventions that the Hub offers.

Of the 11 individuals nominated, 5 won awards and were already active members of the Hub engaging in the activities on a regular basis which positively shows the Hub was successful in their rehabilitation journey. They all said they had enjoyed their time at the Hub and had developed skills and confidence whilst with us.

During the event, PDU Lead Kerri Bendon gave a speech congratulating all attendees and staff of both services for their hard work and commitment and their input into helping people to change their lives for the better. Everyone received a small motivational gift from the Hub with the winners’ receiving awards.

After the formal EPOP session closed, individuals were able to filter into other activities taking place within the Hub, including an LP artwork session attended by 6 participants. One of the new PoPs took an interest and, and as a former Koestler award winner was impressed with the session and felt comfortable enough to talk to other participants. A Hub mural session was also taking place where staff and participants old and new were invited to design something they would like to add to the wall mural. We have collected their efforts and will invite people back in when we’re ready to put brush to wall.

Positive local relationships between the Interventions Alliance CFO Activity Hub and the Warrington probation service have clearly benefited People on Probation.

Evan Saxon Taylor, Warrington PDU said “Firstly I would just like to say a BIG thank you to staff at the Warrington CFO Activity Hub for putting on such an interactive and informative afternoon for our team. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and certainly for new members of the team, they have benefited from the introduction to the Hub. I hope this will see an increase in referrals for you but moreover, a step closer to a more collaborative multi-agency relationship between Probation and Activity Hub”.

To find out more about our CFO Activity Hubs please visit: https://interventionsalliance.com/cfo-activity-hubs/

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New Gambling Intervention for the Criminal Justice System

Posted on 24/01/2023 by rchapman

Interventions Alliance and GamCare have partnered to provide a group work intervention for people in the Criminal Justice System to reduce gambling-related harm and reoffending.

What is the service and how is it delivered?

The service is designed to reduce gambling harms for those involved in the Criminal Justice System. Based on the theory of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the programme uses the expertise from Interventions Alliance in delivering behaviour change and support programmes to the Criminal Justice System and GamCare’s extensive knowledge of gambling harms and treatment.

Delivered to cohorts of participants either within a custodial setting, upon release or serving sentences within the community, skilled programme facilitators will work with groups of up to eight participants to engage them in reflective practices to understand harmful gambling and how to address and manage this behaviour. The programme will be a full support and treatment offer.

Why is the service needed in the Criminal Justice System?

Studies* have found that there is a higher prevalence of gambling harms in prison populations compared to the national population. However, there is currently a lack of gambling treatment and support available for people in the Criminal Justice System.

The programme is an opportunity to test and pilot a new approach to support people with gambling issues, building on the work that has already been done in relation to gambling and Criminal Justice support over recent years at GamCare, GamCare’s network partners, and other providers and working groups.

What packages of support are available?

There are two different packages which are set over eight modules each lasting up to an hour in length which are available to those in:

Community Services – Involved with probation services for either serving a community service, being post-release and on license or post sentence supervision, and
Custody Environment – Serving a period of imprisonment.

Interested?

To find out more information about the intervention packages and delivery options please contact either:

Chris Walker – chris.walker@gamcare.org.uk or

Jack Budgen – jack.budgen@interventionsalliance.com

To find out more about GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/

*Reference to GambleAware stats here: https://www.begambleaware.org/news/gambleaware-publishes-202021-national-gambling-treatment-service-annual-statistics