What is Fresh Start New Beginnings?
Fresh Start New Beginnings offers a variety of resources and support through the community chaplaincy project to assist offenders with resettling before and after they are released from custody. We do this by offering the following:
- Mentoring
- Housing
- Employment
- Information and Advice Services
- Links with other important agencies
- Support with drugs and alcohol treatment
- Links with local faith communities
- Family support
How does it work?
Volunteer mentors are an essential part of this Community Chaplaincy Project. In order to support effective resettlement and reduce reoffending we need to offer a 'Through the Gate' approach to resettlement.
We offer full training free of charge to our volunteers and will support them through a process of individual and group support. If you would like to know more about becoming a volunteer mentor and support the work of Fresh Start New Beginnings, please send an email to mentor@fsnb.org.uk with your name, address, telephone number, email addresss and an indication of the best time to contact you. You will be invited to an informal meeting to discuss the project and the role of mentor further.
Offenders are often released back into the community with no support, no accommodation and no employment - thus no income. The result is more often than not a return to criminal behaviour.
"Prison is a holding station for destiny ... together we can unlock potential"
With the support of a mentor before the end of their sentence and following this support through the transition of custody to community, this gives the offender an increased chance of successful resettlement.
Why do we need this?
Nationally 58% of ex-offenders are convicted of another crime within 2 years. Each time resulting in a cost to the tax payer.
Statistics for young male offenders aged 18 - 20 years is even higher at 72% over the same period.
Release prisoners are responsible for at least 1 million crimes per year.
"Prison sentences are not succeeding in turning the majority of offenders away from crime." (The Regions Indices of Deprivation 2004)
