Support agencies
Information on agencies that can support you
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Leaving prison and re-entering the world can be a difficult business. You might have decided to get into the arts and build on your passion, but that doesn’t necessarily make life any easier. There are still the bills to pay, the roof to keep over your head, the casual work to make a bit of extra cash to finance your film…
We’ve had a look at a few organisations/bodies which may be able to offer you advice and support with the nuts and bolts issues. General / / Employment / / Housing / / Drugs and Alcohol issues / / Mental Health / / Young People |
General go to top
UNLOCK
UNLOCK is a unique organisation founded in 1999 by a group of ex-offenders, each of whom have, in their own way, successfully rebuilt their lives after serving prison sentences. They now advise and assist serving and former prisoners who demonstrate a genuine commitment to lead a crime-free lifestyle, and so help them become productive members of their local communities.
http://www.unlockprison.org.uk/
UNLOCK
35a High Street
Snodland
Kent
ME6 5AG
01634 247350
Since 1966, Nacro has worked to give ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities the help they need to build a better future. Nacro's Resettlement Plus Helpline provides information and advice for prisoners, ex-offenders and those working with them.
http://www.nacro.org.uk/about/index.htm
NACRO
169 Clapham Road
London SW9 0PU
08000 181 259 (Freephone - Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm)
SACRO (SCOTLAND)
SACRO offer a range of services from community mediation to alcohol education; from helping families keep in touch with prisoners, to offering supervised accommodation for the homeless offender.
http://www.sacro.org.uk/
Sacro
National Office
1 Broughton Market
Edinburgh
EH3 6NU
0131 624 7270
Employment go to top
JOB CENTRE PLUS
Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency of the Department for Work and Pensions. It offers a range of services to working age persons.
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/
Correspondence Manager
Jobcentre Plus Secretariat
Ground Floor
Steel City House
West Street
Sheffield
S1 2GQ
Check Websites for phonenumbers in your region.
APEX promotes employment opportunities for ex-offenders.
http://www.apextrust.com/
Apex Charitable Trust
St Alphage House
Wingate Annexe
2 Fore Street
London
EC2Y 5DA
020 7638 5931
Check the website for local offices
BRIDGING THE GAP (BTG)
Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a registered charity which aims to help discharged prisoners settle back into the community by offering advice and information, among others on housing and employment.
http://www.btguk.org/
info@btguk.org
or 0870 0273091
0870 0273092
0707 7810057
Housing go to top
Each borough has what is called a Homeless Person's Unit, which would be the best statutory body to contact with regard to housing in your local area.
LANGLEY HOUSE TRUST
Langley House Trust is a national organisation that provides resettlement accommodation to ex-offenders.
http://www.langleyhousetrust.org/
Langley House Trust
POBox 181
Witney
Oxon
OX28 6WD
01993 774075
CRANSTOUN
Cranstoun provides supported housing for people with drug and alcohol issues.
http://www.cranstoun.org/
Central Office, England
4th Floor, Broadway House, 112-134 The Broadway,
Wimbledon, London SW19 1RL.
020 8543 8333
Central Office, Scotland
Scottish Central Office, Academy Buildings,
6-7 Rose Terrace, Perth PH1 5HA
01738 580 011
SHELTER
England Shelter is a website for tips and legal advice, as well as ongoing support on housing. Shelter aims to ensure everyone has a home. Last year Shelter worked with 100,000 homeless and badly housed people throughout Britain.
Shelter also provide a national freephone helpline 0808 800 4444, which provides advice and information.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/
Shelter
88 Old Street
London EC1V 9HU
020 7505 4699
BRIDGING THE GAP (BTG)
Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a registered charity which aims to help discharged prisoners settle back into the community by offering advice and information, among others on housing and employment.
http://www.btguk.org/
info@btguk.org
or 020 8239 8976
Drugs and Alcohol issues go to top
ADDACTION
Addaction is a national drug and alcohol treatment agency with information for users and parents. Check you region for offices close by.
http://www.addaction.org.uk/
TALK TO FRANK
A website and helpline for young people with drug and alcohol issues.
http://www.talktofrank.com/
Helpline: 0800 917 8765
KNOW THE SCORE (Scotland)
Info and advice on drugs issues, in Scotland
www.knowthescore.info/
0800 587 587 9
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS (NA)
NA is a non-profit Fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem.
Check the website for an office closeby.
http://www.ukna.org/
Helpline: 0845 3733366, or 020 7730 0009
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous provide support for anyone who feels that their alcohol consumption has got out of their control.
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Helpline : 0845 769 7555
Mental Health go to top
THE MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Mental Health Foundation exists to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
Mental Health Foundation
London Office 9th Floor
Sea Containers House
20 Upper Ground
London
SE1 9QB
020 7803 1100.
Mental Health Foundation, Scotland Office
Merchants House
30 George Square
Glasgow G2 1EG.
0141 572 0125.
SANE
Among other things, Sane aims to provide information and emotional support to those experiencing mental health problems, their families and carers through SANELINE: 0845 767 8000 (Calls charged at local rates)
http://www.sane.org.uk/
1st Floor Cityside House
40 Adler Street
London, E1 1EE
020 7375 1002
MIND
Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Mind works to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.
http://www.mind.org.uk/
Mind
15-19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ
T: 020 8519 2122
Info-line: 0845 766 0163 (local call rate)
Young People got to top
CONNEXIONS
Are you 13-19? If you want information and advice designed just for you, or just someone to talk to, then Connexions has it all. Connexions Direct can offer you all the information and advice you need to make the decisions and choices in your life in terms of: careers, work, learning, money, health, relationships, housing, rights and travel. Connexions Direct advisers are here to offer information, advice and support between 8am and 2am everyday.
http://www.connexions-direct.com/
Confidential Helpline: 080 800 13 2 19
Check their website for details of local offices.
THE PRINCE’S TRUST
The Prince’s Trust aims to help young people aged 14-30 to realize their potential and transform their lives.
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/
The Prince's Trust
18 Park Square East
London NW1 4LH
0800 842 842 (free of charge)
TALK TO FRANK
A website and helpline for young people with drug and alcohol issues.
http://www.talktofrank.com/
Helpline: 0800 917 8765