crossroads trust newsletter march 2015
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The Crossroads Chronicle March 2015
Family conference
Crossroads Trust Operations Manager, John Beesley and volunteer Donna Edwards recently
represented the Trust at a conference in Liverpool. Facilitated by No Offence and Providing
Support to Families of People with criminal convictions (POPS) the theme of the day was
how to support the families of people with criminal convictions. Crossroads Trust is keen to
explore setting up a new project to provide support for families of people with criminal
convictions in prison as well as support when individuals are released. This is in response to
a real need from working with service users.
The aim of the conference was to consider the Troubled Families Programme. This is now in
its second phase and support will be extended to families with a parent in prison and on
community orders. Not all families will meet the Troubled Families criteria but never the
less they may require support as an integrated part of the people with criminal convictions
journey through the criminal justice system to ensure the best outcome for families.
Research shows that the role of the family can have a significant impact on an offender and
their successful re-integration to the community and maintaining positive and strong family
ties is one of the key factors in reducing re-offending.
Highlight of the programme were powerful testimonies from family members with relatives
in prison. They highlighted the isolation they often felt, judged by society and the prison
service as guilty by association. Feeling powerless to help loved ones who were now part of
a totalitarian criminal justice system. Where families are often disenfranchised by the
prison system. The message was clear the prison system needs to do more to be family
friendly during visits and listen to families to make the improvements needed.
Bulletins
Introduction to mentoring
individuals with convictions
The training session on the 7th of
March was a fantastic day. It was at
the CHESS centre in Camphill
Nuneaton and was facilitated by
Beverley Gilbert Lecturer NCSPVA
University of Worcester, Expert DV
Risk Assessor for DViP in London.
There were a few new volunteers
from crossroads trust as well as
people from an organisation called
Talent Match
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/talentmatch
And the feedback was great too
Its really helped me understand my clients. I cant wait to take away what Ive learnt. Its opened my mind a lot more. 100% of people would recommend this training session to a college
Crossroads Trust, Community House, Coleshill Road, Atherstone, CV9 1BN
0333 772 0048 www.crossroadstrust.org.uk @CrossroadsTrust
Hi people if you have any stories or anything you think
might be relevant please email me on
adam@crossroadstrust.org.uk
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/talentmatchmailto:adam@crossroadstrust.org.uk
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Crossroads Trust Fitter Lives Project launched
The Crossroads Trust is launching a Fitter Lives Project on Sunday April 12th 2pm at the Chess Centre on Camp Hill. The Project will facilitate access to fitness activities for ex-offenders and individuals with criminal convictions living on Camp Hill. But is also open to all involved with Crossroads Trust. The Fitter Lives Project has been funded by the Active 4 Life programme facilitated by Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council. Evidence has shown that the first few months after release from prison are the most critical in the rehabilitation process. The risk of reoffending remains high during this stage, so it is vital that appropriate interventions are used to target the needs of individuals and keep them on track. The Fitter Lives Project will be one such intervention by allowing individuals free access to sporting activities and help reduce the risk of social isolation by getting involved. It will help maintain and develop fitness and help with mental well being. This is particularly important when the client is rehabilitating from substance misuse. Sessions will take place every other week and refreshments will be provided. This is a free service as access to facilities and equipment will be available to use at no cost to the individual. April Sunday 12th and 26th 2-3pm May Sunday 10th and 24th 2-3pm June Sunday 7th and 21st 2-3pm Many of our service users are affected by a variety of issues including a breakdown in family relationships, unemployment, social exclusion, and health and housing issues. Crossroads through its peer mentoring service helps them to develop personal and social skills to boost their chance of leading independent lives. The Fitter Lives Project will enable individuals with criminal convictions struggling within the Camp Hill community to undertake sporting activities free of charge as well as talk to our mentors. We also encourage families and friends of those affected by criminal convictions to get involved. It is all about healthy exercise but most importantly having some fun. Volunteers contribution and commitment is central to the work of Crossroads. The service has achieved the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation Approved Provider Standard. The Foundation found our volunteers to be well trained, passionate and committed. Our mentors develop caring, honest and safe relationships with individuals referred to the service in order to empower their mentees and support positive change. The mentoring service matches volunteer mentors and provide support for up to twelve months. They often meet in informal settings such as the community caf on Camp Hill or Nuneaton to identify goals around five outcomes: improving emotional and psychological well being, reducing risk, employability, access to services, and improved financial situation. The mentoring relationship focuses on empowering the mentee in taking steps to achieve these goals. John Beesley Volunteer Operations Manager Crossroads Trust Crossroads Trust Community House Coleshill Rd Atherstone CV9 1BN www.crossroadstrust.org.uk Email enquiries@crossroadstrust.org.uk Twitter @crossroadstrust.org.uk John Beesley Operations Manager Tel 03337720048 or 07804236953
http://www.crossroadstrust.org.uk/mailto:enquiries@crossroadstrust.org.uk
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Clip project
The Trust is again appealing to the communities of North Warwickshire to donate
good quality clothing and shoes to the Clothes Line Initiative Project managed by
the Crossroads Trust. The Trust has a storage facility in Atherstone from where
clothing items are dispatched to individuals in need throughout the region. Every
donation helps to transform the lives of individuals who are in need. Crossroads
works with individuals striving to turn their lives around to lead positive law
abiding lives.
The Clothes Bank has also been providing items to other disadvantaged groups
such as homeless individuals and young people leaving care homes and setting up
home. Stock levels are now getting depleted the Trust is requesting clothing and
shoes for men and women to be donated.
If you have a clothing or shoe donation the Trust can arrange to collect directly
from your home or workplace. Email enquiries@crossroadstrust.org.uk or call
Lucy 07835513192 or John 07804236953. Alternatively you can take donated
items directly to Taverners Lane, Westwood Rd, Atherstone, CV9 2BA Monday to
Friday 10-4.30pm
Dyslexia friendly website
This has been achieved using a new Dyslexic font invented by a Dutch designer,
Christian Boer. Having dyslexia himself he decided to make life easier by
experimenting using different fonts for reading. Letters of the Dyslexic font have
heavy base lines, alternating stick and tail lengths and semi-cursive slants -- all
modifications that differentiate letters that can look confusingly similar to those with
the condition. Research has shown the new font helps improve one in five individuals
with the condition to read without difficulty.
Traditional fonts are designed solely from an aesthetic point of view, which means
they often have characteristics that make characters difficult to recognise for people
with dyslexia. The letters of a word are confused, turned around or jumbled up
because they look too similar. The dyslexic friendly typeface means individuals with
dyslexia have a lot less trouble reading.
www.crossroadstrust.org.uk
Loveable companions
Our little Dolli is nearly 7, we had
her as a rescue/rehome when she
very tiny.
Thankfully, we had a Shi Tzu
already and he loved her and
helped her fit right into our little
brood, our little chap sadly has
passed on, and so Dolli is even
more spoilt now? ... hmm is that
even possible?
New centre name
Now heres where you guys come in
I would like you to think of a name for our new centre and why you think it would be a good name then email me at adam@crossroadstrust.org.uk the winning idea will get a special mention in Aprils edition
mailto:enquiries@crossroadstrust.org.ukhttp://www.crossroadstrust.org.uk/mailto:adam@crossroadstrust.org.uk
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Thought of the month
Do not look at me like you know who I am, What struggles I carry in my arms,
And the road I walk without a map.
Do not tell me that you know what you do not know, Nor understand where I have been when you have not been there too.
Do not assume that you know what I think or feel or believe,
My mind and heart are not yours they are mine, Fear will not overcome my silence.
Believe me, I will resist your biography of me,
Unless you help me and write a better story for us, You cannot do that until you listen,
And walk in my shoes, if only for a mile or two, And let go of what you think you know. I need your wisdom and compassion,
Your challenge and your honesty, I may not always welcome them at first,
But I will if you care for me.
I have been beaten down and silenced. My heart has been broken,
And it will not mend easily or without struggle, Be kind to me and I will hear you,
Be strong and present and I will see you.
Look at me with open eyes and you will see me, Someone who has survived unimaginable pain,
Who has found a way to still dance and love.
Despite walls and wire, When she cant go on anymore
When there is no one there
And that is who I am
York No Offence CIC conference
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the No Offence conference in York,
titled Early Intervention in the CJS-The Women's Way. The conference focused on
effective early intervention methods to reduce the number of women in the
criminal justice system and also preventing the nature of inter-generational
offending.
The criminal justice system has a basic principle that everyone should be treated
equally. However, this does not necessarily mean that everyone should be treated
the same. The underlying circumstances that may lead men and women to offend
can be very different. There are particular issues that put vulnerable women at
greater risk of committing crime including history of abusive relationships,
substance misuse, mental health needs, poverty and social inequalities that women
face. Many women already tend to have involvement with a great number of
agencies before they commit crime. Gender specific women's organisations have
demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing offending behaviour amongst women
already in the criminal justice system and perhaps can be essential in preventing
women and young girls committing offences in the first instance. Early intervention
includes involvement at an early stage as well as an early age.
Kristy O'Dowd
Anna Maxwell
the wife of a lifer
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