We were delighted to welcome Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch to open our new CFO Activity Hub last week.

The newly launched Co-financing organisations (CFO) Activity Hubs deliver targeted interventions to improve the support provided to one of the hardest-to-reach groups in our society. This includes services such as skills training and help with securing employment for individuals who are on their rehabilitation journey.

Participants of the service will also be able to access tailored support provisions, receive advice and guidance and interact with positive role models and peers at a similar stage of their resettlement journey.

Speaking of her visit, Tracey Crouch MP said:

“I have long called for a greater emphasis on rehabilitation in the wider justice system to help stop offenders falling into the trap of re-offending, and so it was a pleasure to open the new CFO Activity Hub in Chatham which will provide targeted holistic support and guidance for ex-offenders locally. I am in no doubt that this will make a huge difference both for the individuals involved but also the wider community and I look forward to working with the team in Chatham going forward.”

Suki Binning, Interventions Alliance Chief Social Worker/Executive Director of Justice and Social Care continued:

“It was great to welcome Tracey to this important new service in Chatham. The CFO Activity Hubs provide a safe and supportive space for those on probation license or supervision orders to develop plans to move forward.

“As an established provider of high-quality public services, Interventions Alliance believes that no one should be left behind. Offenders are one group in our society that can sometimes feel they are forgotten.

“We are working in partnership with specialist organisations locally to help individuals in the criminal justice system as they progress on their rehabilitation journey. Through tailored support, advice and guidance, we’re supporting them to build a better future.”

Mark Nickson, Head of HMPPS CFO, added:

“As the commissioners of the CFO Activity Hub Programme, we are pleased to be working with Seetec as prime provider for the North West, South East and South West. We have a high level of confidence that their considerable expertise and strong track record of delivery within the criminal justice sector will result in improved outcomes for individuals being referred into their Hubs.

“The activities within the Hubs have been carefully designed to serve as gateways to specialist support, which in turn contribute positively to improving compliance rates with community orders and supervision requirements as well as reducing levels of reoffending.”

At Intervention Alliance, we are committed to putting offenders at the heart of their own rehabilitation journey, combining skills training, employability services and practitioner expertise, all of which aims to move individuals into a crime-free life.

We were awarded the Co-financing Organisation (CFO) Activity Hubs across three English regions, South East, North West and South West at the end of last year. The Chatham site is one of six locations currently in operation, offering participants specialist one to one support to help them move forward with their lives, gain new skills and support with education to ultimately stop offending and successfully contribute to their local communities.

The CFO is part funded by the European Social Fund, and these Hubs are also in operation in Hastings, Manchester, Liverpool, Warrington and Bristol.  Read more about this service here.