A new service has opened in Manchester which provides a safe and supportive space to help people with convictions move away from crime and reintegrate back into society.
The newly launched CFO Activity Hub offers support ranging from skills training to help with securing employment to individuals who are on their rehabilitation journey. Participants will be offered tailored support, receive advice and guidance and interact with positive role models and peers at a similar stage of their journey.
The Manchester site was formally opened on 29th November by Chris Edwards, Regional Probation Director for Greater Manchester Probation Service.
The service is run by Interventions Alliance, part of the employee owned Seetec Group, which is 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. The business is already experienced at delivering probation services by supporting 19,100 people with convictions each year on their journeys away from crime.
The Manchester site is located close to the heart of the city and will employ 19 staff dedicated to supporting them to achieve brighter futures.
Speaking of his visit, Chris Edwards, Regional Probation Director for Greater Manchester Probation Service, said:
“The Probation Service is committed to supporting offenders to make positive changes to their lives so that they do not commit more crime. We know that involving partnership agencies to work with offenders, some of whom are among the most vulnerable in society, is the best way to make sure they achieve long-lasting change, and I am therefore delighted to have visited the hub to learn about the role they can play in that journey.
“The services on offer here will help reducing reoffending by providing practical support and guidance to offenders, helping them develop new skills and experiences, giving them the leg-up to lead new lives and build better futures for themselves.”
Suki Binning, Interventions Alliance Chief Social Worker/Executive Director of Justice and Social Care, continued:
“The CFO Activity Hubs provide a safe and supportive space for those on probation license or supervision orders to develop plans to move forward.
“People with convictions are one of the hardest-to-reach groups in our society, and can sometimes feel they are forgotten, but Interventions Alliance believes that no one should be left behind. This Hub in Manchester will deliver targeted interventions to improve the support provided to them.
“Working in partnership with specialist organisations, we are helping individuals in the criminal justice system to build a better future through tailored support, advice and guidance, as they progress on their rehabilitation journey.”
Mark Nickson, Head of HMPPS Co-financing Organisation, added:
“As the commissioners of the CFO Activity Hub project, we are pleased to be working with Seetec as prime provider for the North West, South East and South West.
“The CFO Activity Hub project launched knowing that around 80% of people who receive a caution or conviction have offended before. Our Hubs serve as gateways to tailored support where participants can receive advice and guidance, interact with positive role models and ultimately be supported into mainstream education, employment and training to reduce levels of reoffending.
“We have a high level of confidence that Seetec’s expertise and strong track record of delivery within the Criminal Justice Sector will result in improved outcomes for individuals being referred into their Hubs. There is both consistencies to give us assurance as to the integrity of adherence to the original vision and variation to offer learning opportunities to help the programme grow.”
Interventions Alliance was awarded the Co-financing Organisation (CFO) Activity Hubs across three English regions, North West, South East and South West at the end of last year. The Manchester site is one of six locations operated by Interventions Alliance, 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 Seetec Activity Hubs are also in operation in Hastings, Manchester, Chatham, Warrington and Bristol.