For too long we have continued to deliver “professional-led”interventions with people who have committed crime. Levels of reoffendingremain stubbornly high, with a quarter of all adult offenders going on to re-offend, with numbers significantly higher for thosereleased from custody. In Darlington, we believe it is time for a new approach. Inspired by desistance theory alongside the practical work we have seen in the US and Canada, we at the Community Rehabilitation Company want to do things differently and deliver a more effective programme to reduce re-offending.
This will be based on what really matters in enabling desistance. Whilst there are number of theoretical strands to this research one of the main elements surrounds the issue of identity. Crudely put, that if a person is to move forward and make positivechanges to their lives that reduce the risk of re-offending then they need to be able to develop a more positive sense of self. “Making Good by Giving Back” attempts to facilitatethis by providing people with the opportunity to perform some sort of Social Action. By making a positive contribution to their community, people are able to gain a more positive sense of self, themany benefits associated with volunteering, develop a number of life skills and gain some sort of qualification and reference, something which people with criminal convictions find extremely difficult to secure. Importantly, research indicates that volunteering is linked to levels of generativity, a feeling of concern for others or something‘bigger’ than ones self, which is also found to be a key theme of in themaintenance of desistance.
We currently have an array of projects in design, development and in practice. However the two main projects we are focusing on are an upcyling project at FRADE charity furniture shop and a memorial garden on Russell street. Please see below a brief outline of the projects
Re-Cover at Frade
Frade is a furniture re-use charity operating in Tees Valley with premises in Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough. It was created specifically to support local residents to establish and maintain a comfortable level of home furnishings. Founded in 1990 by members of faith communities in Stockton on Tees as a practical response to the negative outcomes resulting from the introduction of crisis loans and community care grants in 1988. Social action plans to renovate two exterior units Frade charity furniture shop, as an entry project and base for social action in Darlington. Re- cover is the business arm of “Making Good by Giving Back” and will provisionally include a workshop for renovating furniture provided by FRADE to be sold in the shop, where an agreed percentage of the profits will be agreed. Money made by Re-cover will help to cover costs, in a bid to make the project self sustaining and add longevity. Re-cover will also have a base room where participants can discuss, design and develop other social action projects and have somewhere to feel belongs to them.
The potential for the Re-cover and FRADE project is vast, with the possibility of making bespoke, customised and made to order furniture both in the store and for online sales. In addition, renovating furniture in a more general style or a ‘shabby chic’ manner or whatever the current market trend happens to be. With an excellent opportunity to showcase the work done by participants at 2016’s festival of thrift, this event could act as a celebration of success and achievement for all involved and invaluable marketing for the brand of Re-cover.
This project is priority as we started the clean up today, with 7 people on probation completing the work. We are keen to get it completed as soon as possible and we would be especially grateful for you help in donating any of these materials
Toilet
Washbasin
Sink
Kitchen worktops
Kitchen cuboards
Brick paint
Floor paint
Painting tools, brushes etc
Interior door
Exterior door
Wood for door frames
Shelves
Cement
Plaster
Wood/plaster board to build a toilet cubuical
Wood to dry line the walls in smaller workshop
Door handles
Paint to paint wood and plaster boards
Or anything else you would kindly like to donate.
Russell Street Memorial Garden
There is a small piece of land at the end of Russell street in Darlington, where local councillor Malcolm Wright has been planning to build a memorial garden in tribute to two world war veterans who lived in the street. The garden is due to open in July 2016 to coincide with the 100thanniversary of The Battle Of Somme. This project will be a lovely project for people to work on and maintain as focal point within Darlington, and help them develop a more positive sense of self and give back to the community of Darlington.
Both of these projects have lots of potential for people to “Make Good by Giving Back” and for the community of Darlington to enjoy and benefit from. It is with this in mind we are kindly asking for any assistance you are able to supply to help enable us to make this a possibility. We would be especially grateful for any materials you could provide us with. If you feel you could help or have any questions or would like to arrange a meeting with myself, you can contact me on the details listed below.
Many thanks and kind regards
Lisa Keenan
Community Justice Co-ordinator
Darlington Probation Office
9 Corporation Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6TH
01325 486231
07594512804