About Us
WYCCP is a resettlement project which aims to reduce re-offending and contribute to building safer communities in Leeds and across West Yorkshire.
Please see attached strategic plan for 2010
Strategic Plan.doc 75.68 KB
- We are a 'through the gate' project; we work with offenders both inside HMP Leeds and post release, and particularly with offenders serving less than twelve months who have limited access to statutory support and who tend to re-offend regularly.
- We use volunteers - Volunteer Link Workers - to support ex offenders in the community. We encourage applications from ex-offenders, and offer a comprehensive training programme and support structure to our volunteers. From 24 active volunteers currently 5 are ex-offenders.
- WYCCP is a multi faith project, initially envisaged by members of the multi faith Chaplaincy in HMP Leeds; we have links with faith communities and seek to engage them in resettlement activities.
- In 2008 WYCCP negotiated the use of prison owned office accommodation and is now located directly opposite the gates of HMP Armley; we have close links within the prison, team members are key holders and can directly access men either on the wings or through the Education Department.
Resettlement workers visit offenders -service users - for assessment and action planning prior to their release from prison. They meet them on release with a Volunteer Link Worker, and then staff and volunteers continue to offer advice, support and signposting as appropriate during the critical weeks and months after release in the areas identified by the service user as significant to them in maintaining a crime-free life. This support could include accompanying service users to appointments; for example for psychiatric assessments or interviews with housing providers; assistance in completing benefits forms; liaising with statutory agencies; for example West Yorkshire Probation or the NHS on behalf of service users; and giving advice and support in accessing training and employment. This is done in close partnership with any other voluntary community and public sector bodies involved in the service user's resettlement.
WYCCPs ultimate measure of success is that a man maintains a crime free life following release from prison. We recognise a range of important indicators of success which could include men settling into accommodation; dealing with substance misuse; undertaking training or finding employment.
WYCCP was established in 2005, is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, and was initially largely funded by the Invest to Save Budget (ISB), a joint Treasury/Cabinet Office initiative. We are currently funded by the National Lottery, NOMS and Lloyds TSB.
