Yellow Ribbon gives a helping hand to ex-offenders in Shropshire
Many ex-offenders leave prison with next to nothing. Not only are many of them without money or family support, but others no longer have a home to go to.
Some walk out with just a £46 pay-out from the prison service, which they are given on release. The aim of Yellow Ribbon UK is to prevent ex-offenders being pushed out of society.
Three out of every four ex-offenders they deal with are of no fixed abode. Many people who have been in prison are evicted when they are sent to jail.
Their issues could range from problems with alcohol and drugs, mental health issues, having no money, home or clothes and lack of support or knowledge to get into the world of work.
The project was piloted in Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire and since it started in 2013, the team has helped more than 50 people who have served short prison sentences.
Rita Wilkinson, office manager, said their work targeted a "vicious cycle" of events, which without many would quickly return to prison.
"The main thing is that these people need to be seen as part of society.
"What we are seeking to do is help them have fulfilled purpose for lives as part of society. Many of them want to do that.
"Many people on release have had children with different partners and by stabilising the person who has been in prison we are having a positive effect on the community.
" A lot of people don't grasp the whole picture as to what the end result will be if they contributed a little bit of time instead of knocking these guys down again.
"It can be that our work sees the person gradually reduce their reoffending and start to get their lives on track. After this their families tend to build bridges with them."
Based at Admaston House, Yellow Ribbon UK needs donations and volunteers. It costs around £70,000 a year to run. It is funded by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Lloyds TSB and the European Social Fund.
Pauline Mack, project director of Yellow Ribbon UK, said their team heads into prisons to find out who is set to be released in the coming months.
They ask them if they would like mentoring and support and if the people they meet says yes, Yellow Ribbon UK will assess their suitability for the project, discuss their aspirations for the future and build relationships with them.
On the day of release, a team member will meet them on the gate or the next day and support them in getting their lives back on track.
"We work more with those who are not such a risk of harm and may have a high risk of reoffending," she said. "Some have been in that world for many years and are desperate to move on.
"For those people we can offer a complete step change, helping them with each of the hurdles they hit. Can you imagine coming out with nowhere to live, no money or family support in this weather?
"They can sign on in prison but many rely on Employment and Support Allowance, which takes weeks to come through after their release date.
"They are given £46 from the prison service when they leave and for many that's all they do have."
Since it started in October 2013, the project has grown to cater for ex-offenders in other neighbouring counties.
It is made up of three paid staff and 15 volunteers.
Some volunteers previously used the service and are now giving back to help others in their situation.
They have now partnered with Green Pastures Housing, a registered charity and social enterprise, who buy houses for organisations across the UK such as Yellow Ribbon in order to extend what the local organisation is able to offer to vulnerable people.
And a new house in Shrewsbury for ex-offenders will do just that. It comes following difficulties found by Yellow Ribbon to house ex-offenders in social housing in the town.
The team will now be running the house, with the support of local charities.
Ms Mack added: "The quality of where people live is absolutely essential."
