The difference we make

Footprints Mentoring

At any one time, Footprints is working with around 40-50 people in the community in Dorset and Hampshire. In the year ended 31st March 2019, Footprints has received referrals from 252 people and supported 198 people in the community.

113 (62%) people achieved a decrease in criminogenic needs and increased social inclusion.
36 people have achieved positive outcomes in one area of need, 38 people in 2 areas of need, 13 in 3 areas of need, 14 people in 4 areas of need, 6 in 5 areas of need, 3 in 6 areas of need and 1 in 7 areas of need, 1 in 8 areas of need and 1 in 9 areas of need.

The average length of engagement was between 2 to 3 months, however some mentees received over 6 months of support.

Thank you! it’s hard to express into words how grateful I am. My mentor is challenging in a positive way. He always gives me options and suggestions that makes me look at things differently. I would like to give back in the future and become a Footprints Mentor

Volunteer mentors provided the following support:

Emotional and relational support. The majority of the support given by our mentors focusses on changes to the person’s the attitudes, thinking and behaviour enabling them to break free from a life of repetitive behaviours and crime. Our mentors help the person develop coping strategies to overcome future problems, set goals and increase their resilience.
Finance and Benefits. Mentors provided 160 (88%) people with support, including completing benefits claims for 43 people, providing advocacy to 72 people and referring 37 people to specialist support.
Housing and accommodation. Mentors provided 94 (52%) people with support including 32 people to complete referrals or attend interviews with external housing providers.
Education, training and employment. 39 people were supported, including help with job searches, liaising with the local colleges and helping them engage with specialist support and training agencies.
Mental Health. 29 people were supported including the completion of information regarding specialist agencies, accompanying people to appointments and supporting people to complete forms.

As our provision is 100% individualised, we also supported people with issues such as physical health, domestic violence, substance misuse, families and children, sexual abuse and exploitation and self-harm.

Volunteer for us

Life Works

In September 2018 participants completed the building of our new workshop, supported by grants from the Peoples Health Trust and ITV and Big Lottery People’s Millions Fund to provide training courses. We delivered a basic plumbing course in November and December and a wood work course in February 2019.

Between courses participants have been able to develop their skills at the workshop, making wooden Christmas decorations for sale in December and wooden garden planters.

Upcycled handmade wooden pallet Christmas Tree

During the year:

Life Works received 84 referrals,
Participants gave 6365 hours of voluntary work to the project, helping to renovate 13 community and commercial properties,
14 participants completed our first 2 training courses,
26 participants participated in off-site work experience placements and 2 people were offered sessional work placements,
9 participants were involved in making wooden Christmas decorations,
2 participants gained direct customer service and retail experience.

Shop Life Works

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Meet the team

Referral details for Hampshire and Dorset. General Enquiries, press and media enquiries.
Our Vision

Our vision is to build stronger and safer local communities by providing person centred support for offenders or those who are at risk of offending, reducing reoffending and increasing life chances. 46% of all prisoners will re-offend within a year of release. For those serving short custodial sentences and young offenders this raises to over 80%.
Mentoring

We offer mentoring and practical support for those who are returning to live in Dorset, and Hampshire. Staff will visit people in prison to assess their needs around housing, education training and employment, finance and debt, mental and physical health, substance misuse, families and children as well as attitudes, thinking and behaviour. The staff will then co-produce an action plan for release with the client.
Approved Premises

Prisoners who are classified as “high risk of harm to the public” often reside in Approved Premises run by the National Probation Service for the first 3-6 months after release. They can be a long way from home, isolating them from positive influences such as friends or family support and making it difficult to secure employment. To address these needs, we are piloting three support and employment schemes at Glogan House, Bridgwater, Dickson’s House, Fareham and the Grange, Waterlooville.
Volunteer for us

Our volunteers come from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, faiths and ages. Each has their own reason for volunteering including a chance to give back and support those less fortunate, to share my life experience and skills, to make a difference, to gain skills or experience to enable students to progress to a career in support or criminal justice services, a chance to expand their horizons and meet new people or to help us fundraise to keep the work going.
Apply to volunteer

How to apply as a volunteer
Female Out of Court Diversionary Scheme

In partnership with Dorset Police and PCC we have developed Out of Court Diversionary Scheme for women at the point of arrest for the first time or those who have a previous criminal record but have not offended in the past 2 years and are classified as vulnerable. These women are given a conditional caution and opportunity to work with us rather than progressing to court. Vulnerabilities include mental health problems, women living in coercive or controlling relationships, domestic violence
Our Trustees
Community Hub
Women in Criminal Justice Panel Event