Earlier on today, I met virtually with People Arise Now, a charity which provides support to ex-offenders and give stabilising support for family members of prisoners and ex-offenders.
In the summer, I had heard that the charity had been awarded £9,300 from The National Lottery Community Fund to provide essential supplies and a counselling service for ex offenders and their families, expanding on the normal day-to-day services during the pandemic.
Restorative justice and rehabilitation are two key focuses of mine within the judicial system, and issues that I regularly raise in Parliament. I was therefore really grateful to Vanessa McCain, the founder of People Arise Now, for sparing time to speak with me about the important work they are doing, and to allow me the opportunity to hear from her team and from people who have benefitted from their services.
Through a series of projects, the charity's aim is to lower reoffending rates by providing ex-offenders the tools to successfully resettle in the community, with support from a wide range of professionals including psychologists, educationalists, counsellors, mentors, drug experts, independent probation officers, independent social workers, as well as other organisations and companies, to provide quality all-round support and assistance.
I look forward to visiting People Arise Now in person in 2021, and learning more about their work and how I can support them and the community.