03 July 2009
An eight bed project, Weston Park offers housing for people leaving the prison system, as well as support with health and work in order to enable them to successfully move on. In providing this service St Mungo's work in partnership with the Probation Service and the London Borough of Haringey.
Lynne was given a tour of the project by a client. This was followed by a discussion with staff on the needs of the client group, and the importance of maintaining good relationships and working in partnership with the community.
In support of the project, Lynne said: "Currently re-offending rates are astronomical - but often because those in prison have mental health or substance issues and come out with no skills, sometimes illiterate and no home or job. The work that St Mungo's do is to give people the ability to take their place back in society by helping them with all those things."
Executive Director of Operations Mike McCall said: "Weston Park is about preventing homelessness - current and ex-offenders are vulnerable to rough sleeping. As well as providing a move-on service to secure future accommodation, the staff work with clients to learn life and work skills.
"More than a third of St Mungo's clients have no qualifications at all. In Weston Park support staff help clients gain computer-based health and safety certificates, required by all employees in the construction industry. Clients are also strongly encouraged to use the wide range of community-based facilities."
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