PRISONS AND CARING FOR EX-OFFENDERS

The William Wilberforce Trust has a team of volunteers who work alongside the chaplaincy and resettlement teams in HMP Pentonville.

We also support ex-offenders on their release from prison through the Caring for Ex-offenders (CFEO) network. We meet them at the gate, link them with a mentor and support them as they re-integrate into the community with practical and emotional support as appropriate.

The reconviction rate within a year of release can be as high as 76%

The re-offending rate amongst those we have supported is below 18%

BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR SINGLE PARENTS

There are 3 million children living in a single parent households (23% per cent of all dependent children)

The William Wilberforce Trust provides a community where anyone who is parenting alone can find support and friendship for the more challenging aspects of their lives.

We run a Community Breakfast which engages both single parents and single teenage mothers. It is a place that offers and explores core values that will empower single parents and their children to build healthy family relationships. We offer hands on relational support and a place to share ideas with peers, which in turn will foster a stronger sense of local community and less isolation

We offer a Parenting Course focusing on developing skills in communication, dealing with boundaries, looking at how to make informed choices and developing relationships within the family. Individuals who request it or whom we think would benefit significantly from more intensive support will be offered 1 to 1 mentoring. This will be done on a case by case basis to overcome the difficulties and challenges that they face. We have a team of single parent volunteers who come alongside and support parents that are facing more challenging issues.

DROP-IN AND NIGHT SHELTER

21% of homeless people interviewed reported problems with depression, worthlessness, helplessness, humiliation and addiction

The William Wilberforce Trust provide a community where all of those caught in homelessness can find a firm foundation from which to re build their relationships, practical circumstances and emotional well being. Recognizing that homelessness is more than just rooflessness we provide a holistic range of support services within a supportive community setting.

DROP IN SHELTER
We run a Day Drop- in centre on Wednesdays and Fridays providing over 200 guests with shelter, food & friendship alongside creative services such as art therapy, art workshops, music, drama and English classes. The Drop In provides a safe, non-judgmental place where all are welcome and offers basic services such as tea & coffee, food, advice, friendship and practical support in a non-threatening Christian environment. We also offer a small library, a signposting service, an art area and music area for guests to develop creative as well as practical skills. We link guests to courses such as the Recovery Course. Through our links with local statutory services, and our partnerships with Green Pastures, the Astell Foundation and our employability scheme we seek, where appropriate, to link people into suitable accommodation and employment.

On Saturday nights the Astell Foundation run a drop in from 5:30pm (5pm if you want to volunteer) serving hot food, often with warm clothes and live music too.

WEST LONDON CHURCHES HOMELESS CONCERN NIGHT SHELTER CIRCUIT
We are part of the West London Churches Homeless Concern night shelter circuit, London's largest winter night shelter. Seventy men and women access the shelters every night during the coldest months of the year, and many more share a warm meal. In 2012 120 volunteers provided 840 bed spaces and 1440 hot meals across 2 sites.

COUNTER-TRAFFICKING

Restoring hope to those who have been sexually exploited

Our Back2Life scheme provides follow on support for women that have been trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. We work with women of any age, faith, background or nationality and cater our support to the personal needs of the individual ensuring the preservation of dignity. It's our vision to see every women that we work with in a safe environment and empowered to make choices about her future. Our support is based on 4 key areas:

PRACTICAL
This includes support with asylum, benefits, medical, legal, child support needs, furniture, debt advice and help finding housing through local authorities.

PSYCHOLOGICAL
Our team of counsellors provide one to one psychological support and our peer to peer mentoring program supports women through group sessions. We also refer to the other William Wilberforce Trust support services that support those dealing with addictions, eating disorders and depression.

COMMUNITY
Our trained volunteer support workers offer floating outreach support to women where they live. Orientating women in new areas, organising day excursions, educating on safe relationships and engaging women with our additional community based activities where appropriate.

INDEPENDENCE
C.V and employment workshops, education advice and career planning. All aimed and increasing an individual's self confidence and respect of others.