If you have recently been released from prison, there is a variety of support available to help you get re-established in the community.
This includes support with food, housing, wellbeing mental health, employment and training.
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Support for ex-offenders
Food
Sufra NW London
Provide food parcels or fresh meals to those struggling financially To access this service, you will need a referral from your Probation Service.
Trussell Trust (Foodbank)
Provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food to people who have been referred, as well as support and advocacy to help people maximise their incomes. More information about how to access foodbank vouchers.
Housing
Crisis Skylight Brent
Crisis Skylight provide a drop-in service from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm supporting hose who are homeless or at risk of homelessness within Brent.
No referral is required, individuals need to attend in person (first come first served basis).
Helping people to identify a pathway out of homelessness i.e., support to find private rented accommodation, referrals for supported accommodation and advocating to local authorities.
Single Homeless Project (SHP)
Help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change.
Provide outreach to help those who are rough sleeping and help clients in our supported accommodation services as well as in their own homes in the community.
Your probation officer will need to complete a duty to refer to the local authority.
St Mungo’s
Offer a range of accommodation services to support people with homelessness and helping individuals onto the next steps of their journey away from homelessness. Referral through the local authority/probation, contact your probation officer.
Finding work / Learning new skills
Brent Start
Offer workshops to help individuals develop their skills further and gain new qualification. Provide free job search support and employability training.
Brent Works
Support individuals to find employment or apprenticeships in Brent.
Sufra NW London
Offer volunteering opportunities too if people are interested in learning more about the food industry, working in a team and we also offer regular training opportunities for volunteers. You can see more about the volunteer roles we offer and how to sign up on the SUFRA Website
Shaw Trust
Support individuals into work, education, or training and to overcome barriers preventing them from finding meaningful employment. Providing people with the skills and knowledge for life after custody significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending, provides financial stability and a sense of purpose. The probation service can refer you to this service, contact your probation officer.
Catch 22
Support individuals facing barriers to work with the support they need for a path into sustainable employment or training. The probation service can refer you to this service, contact your probation officer.
Citizen’s Advice
Provide practical and confidential advice online, on the phone, and in person for free. This can include advice relating to benefits, work, debt and finances, housing, family, immigration, and health.
Plias
Support ex-offenders in successfully reintegrating into the community by providing comprehensive support and necessary resources. Services include:
- Information, Advice, and Guidance: Tailored advice to help navigate the complexities of reintegration
- Employment Support: Includes one-on-one support, job search assistance, and employment brokerage, along with preparation for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), essential for those interested in construction careers.
- Education and Training: Offers courses in vital soft skills like CV writing, application form completion, cover letter crafting, and interview techniques, as well as access to nationally recognised qualifications to boost employability.
Wellbeing / Mental Health
EACH
Provides holistic services to empower and support individuals to improve their health and wellbeing. The support individuals with the following areas mental health, wellbeing, substance misuse, counselling and housing.
Catch 22
Provide tailored support based on individual needs based on emotional support, mental health, and health and wellbeing services. The probation service can refer you to this service, contact your probation officer.
Substance misuse
New Beginnings, VIA
Offers free and confidential advice, care and support for drug and alcohol to anyone aged 18 years old and over. Based at Cobbold Road, NW10 and the Willesden Centre for Health & Care, Harlesden Road.
Services offered include:
- advice about health and wellbeing
- regular sessions with your personal keyworker
- support groups including a 12-week abstinence day programme
- weekend drop-in support provided by service user group
- B3
- support with next steps through motivational programmes
- education, training and employment support
- peer mentoring and volunteering
- women only spaces on Tuesdays (5pm-7pm) and Fridays (9am-12pm).
Evening appointments, online groups, and telephone or video sessions are also available.
Forward Trust
Provide a holistic support service which is tailored to the needs of the individuals.
Individuals will benefit from the dependency and recovery service through a mix of individual and group interventions, and specialist support from a range of partner organisations to assist with addressing a range of wellbeing and accommodation needs. The probation service can refer you to this service, contact your probation officer.
New Connections
Offer post release support with drug and alcohol recovery by supporting individuals to attend meetings and find a sponsor or mentor to help and offer advice with rebuilding life in the community and plans moving forward.
Last updated 19/09/24