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

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

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

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