Support on release
We meet people either at the prison gate or in the community, sometimes meeting them beforehand whilst In custody. We help a person return to their community - from Manchester and other North West prisons - to Manchester/Salford.
We can help with a whole range of things, by using our links to support people around what they need. This depends on the person, but typically may involve housing, benefits, sorting out a script, going to probation, getting ID/a bank account, attending other appointments for more specialist help.
We receive referrals from both within prisons and on the outside, including people that refer themselves.
Approved Premises
We connect to several Approved Premises (hostels for people seen as having a higher risk) to support the people in there.
Homelessness
We are part of the Manchester Homelessness Partnership and work closely with them, supporting people from prison who find themselves homeless on release or become homeless further down the line. We are part of the support offered to people within cold weather provision, working alongside other Manchester agencies. Twice weekly, we do street outreach with the Manchester Councils outreach team - focusing on prison leavers who are street homeless.
The Big House
Finally, with a premise of our own, we are able to welcome people who come to us needing support. It is best to call first on
We also hold groups 3 x weekly which anyone is welcome to attend.
Group timetable
Mon – Check in group 12 – 2
Wed – Men’s group 2 - 4
Fri – ACT group 11 – 1
More about ACT: A.C.T group is a peer support meeting supporting behaviour change.
Based on the Acceptance Commitment Therapy model and led by an experienced A.C.T
group facilitator. The meetings are an opportunity for participants to learn the A.C.T matrix
and begin to notice behaviours that take them either towards or away from the things that
are important to them in the long term ( Family, Health, Recovery from substance misuse,
etc.)
- Finding a direction towards a life of meaning and purpose.
- Focusing directly on behaviour in the present moment.
- Learning to PAUSE gives participants the opportunity to make better decisions on
behaviour choices.
- Learning skills to practice acceptance around uncomfortable thoughts or feelings.
CAS support
We are the support providers within the CAS 3 accommodation for Manchester and Bolton. This is Ministry of Justice funded accommodation for people who would otherwise be homeless on release from custodial settings. CAS 3 is a pilot initiative that involves a working partnership between Diverse housing association, probation and the local councils. We are focused on delivering practical and emotional support during residents` 84-night stay, to equip them to move on to more permanent accommodation`.
