Third Sector Programmes

Interventions suitable for

Anyone over the age of 16 years who has an offending background or is identified as at risk of offending.

Programme title and provider

Moving on Service; Apex

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Moving On is primarily a one-to-one employability programme. However, Personal Development Mentors can also support individuals to increase their life skills, access other services and write letters of disclosure to prospective employers or training providers, disclosing offences in the most appropriate way. This also involves individuals learning the relevance of their conviction to the job or training being applied for. The main bases are in Stranraer and Dumfries, travel expenses are reimbursed for those wishing to attend out with these areas.

Possible Outcomes

• Increased confidence and self-esteem.
• Increased lifeskills.
• Referral on to other appropriate services, e.g. addiction services, literacy and numeracy, housing support.
• Completing a letter of disclosure.
• Understanding the relevance of their convictions in relation to employment.
• Undertaking accredited courses.
• Applying to college, further education or training; securing a place.
• Job search and interview skills.
• Applying for employment.
• Securing a job.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

This service may be suggested to the service user to help them understand conviction relevance and increase their employability whilst undertaking a Community Payback Order or any other order being supported by Justice Social Work. Referrals can also be made by other community partners including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Skills Development Scotland and other third sector providers. The criteria for the service is that it is open to anyone over the age of 16 years who has an offending background or is identified as at risk of offending. People can also self-refer; when this happens Apex staff liaise closely with JSW and other partners to ensure the best possible outcome for the individual.

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Funded through Local Authority, although funding has been reduced over the last three years leaving a shortfall.
 

Interventions suitable for

Any woman serving a custodial sentence up to 6 months prior to release and 6 months post release. Women undertaking Community Payback Orders.

Programme title and provider

Shine: Apex Scotland

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Shine is a national public social partnership service that provides mentors to support women on an individual basis to move their life forward in a positive way and reduce reoffending. Shine is available to women prior to and post liberation, as well as to those on Community Payback Orders who are at risk of breach. The service is available across Dumfries and Galloway.

Possible Outcomes

Increased confidence and self-esteem. Improved relationships with family and friends. Increased life skills. Reduction in alcohol or drug use. Decrease in offending behaviour. Completion of order.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

The service is available to any woman serving a custodial sentence up to 6 months prior to release and 6 months post release. Women can be referred directly from prison or by their JSW staff member. The service is also available to women undertaking community payback orders to help them maintain and complete their order. This is a one-to-one mentoring service where women are supported to work on their life skills, relationship, health, mental health and other identified goals. Outcomes and journey travelled are captured using the Outcome Star tool.

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Part of a National Mentoring Service for Women, Apex is the local delivery partner. This was originally funded through the Reducing Reoffending Fund.
 

Interventions suitable for

Men serving short term custodial sentences. There are some exclusions to this; sex offenders cannot be referred.

Programme title and provider

New Routes; Apex Scotland

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

New Routes is another one of the national public social partnership mentoring services. New Routes works with men serving short term custodial sentences. All referrals come directly from custody for all men returning to D&G across the prison estate; support then continues in the community.
Apex took over the New Routes mentoring service for men in Dumfries and Galloway in August 2020 although it was not until October that their mentor could access the prison due to delays with enhanced disclosure.
Prior to this time the service was provided on a part time basis by Wise Group; numbers were low with people mainly being supported whilst still in custody. Over the last year numbers have increased substantially. New Routes Mentors are based in Stranraer and Dumfries. Throughcare services support people prior to and post liberation helping to identify and overcome barriers which may impact on their ability to move on with their lives successfully, engage with support services to help address barriers and build skills and resilience and reduce or stop offending.

Possible Outcomes

• Increased motivation
• Increased pro social attitudes, networks and non criminal identity
• Increased understanding of health needs (physical, mental, substance misuse)
• Engagement with other services
• Improved relationships
• Increased employability awareness, including training and volunteering

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

New Routes mentors record a number of short and medium term outcomes to map progress and distance travelled. Short term outcomes are typically internalised changes, such as a change of attitude, beliefs, aspirations, motivations and knowledge. Medium term outcomes are typically externalised changes, such as a change in behaviour, actions or decision making.

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Part of the New Routes Public Social Partnership; local delivery partner is Apex Scotland. This was originally funded through the Reducing Reoffending Fund.
 

Interventions suitable for

People over 16, living in Dumfries and Galloway and worried about their own or someone else’s drug or alcohol use. Support is provided on a one-to-one basis although groupwork is also available.

Programme title and provider

We Are With You

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Addiction service that works with individuals to help identify their goals in relation to their drug/alcohol use. This can include cutting down substance use or stopping completely. We are With You also work with police locally to provide an Arrest Referral Service.

Possible Outcomes

• Increased motivation
• Increased understanding of health needs (physical, mental, substance misuse)
• Reduced substance misuse
• Referral and engagement with other services
• Improved relationships

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

New Routes mentors record a number of short and medium term outcomes to map progress and distance travelled. Short term outcomes are typically internalised changes, such as a change of attitude, beliefs, aspirations, motivations and knowledge. Medium term outcomes are typically externalised changes, such as a change in behaviour, actions or decision making.

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Funding is received through the Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership.
 

Interventions suitable for

People with alcohol, drug or gambling problems

Programme title and provider

A range of services are available, including addiction support, talking therapies, housing support and family support. More information is available at Alcohol & Drug Support | South West Scotland (adssws.co.uk)

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

• Specialist alcohol and drugs talking therapies
• Gambling support
• Housing support
• Being There Family Support: specialist support service for adults (18 and over) affected by a loved one’s alcohol or drug use.
• AXS Recovery Fund: The AXS Recovery Fund has been developed to help people living in Dumfries and Galloway with alcohol or drug misuse issues in their recovery process. The AXS Recovery Fund is also available to groups.
• Applications are considered by members of the AXS Recovery Group, and each is considered on its own merits. The panel are keen to support as many people as possible, but applications must be completed by a member of staff from one of the Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) partners and must meet some or all of the eligibility criteria. Grant awards will not exceed £150-£200 per individual

Possible Outcomes

Outcomes are different for each service and for each individual

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

N/A

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Funding comes from a number of sources.
 

Interventions suitable for

Young people with substance misuse issues

Programme title and provider

ISSU18

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Young people’s substance misuse service. The service is for children and young people up to the age of 18 who are affected by substance misuse, this can be their own or that of a family member.

Possible Outcomes

As agreed by the young people and their worker.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

N/A

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

N/A
 

Interventions suitable for

Support for families where a family member is coming home from prison and past/current substance issues.

Programme title and provider

Aberlour

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Aberlour offer a number of services:

• Intensive family support service: support for families impacted by substance misuse
• Families2gether: support for families where a family member is coming home from prison and had past/current substance issues.
• Smarter2gether: help for children and young people (aged 11-18) who need help with education

Possible Outcomes

Service dependent

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

Service dependent

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Funding comes from a number of sources.
 

Interventions suitable for

[No information specified]

Programme title and provider

Independent Living Support (ILS)
Independent Living Support has a dedicated and friendly Housing Support team covering Dumfries, Upper Nithsdale and Stranraer. Their Youth Development Project has workers based in Dumfries and Stranraer. They offer practical, emotional and social support to people in need of a little help. In 2018, after a vote by Service Users, they have added Mental Health Support to their services.

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Independent Living Support (ILS) is a small local charity with bases in Dumfries and Stranraer. Our purpose is to promote ‘simply surviving to actively thriving’ by offering practical, social and emotional support to people from all backgrounds.
The programmes they have developed have been in response to the needs of clients. ILS has developed expertise in working effectively with young and vulnerable people. Their culture is a supportive one. The relationships they build are genuine and lasting. Individuals return to ILS because they know they will listen, be non-judgemental and support their efforts in a way that works for them. Much of this work involves supporting people to re-engage with their communities and to progress towards independence. Referrals to ILS for housing support must go through Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Homeless Housing Services.
Youth Development Services to help with:

• Confidence and self-esteem
• Debt and money matters
• Cooking and nutrition
• Keeping safe and well
• Engaging in activities
• Managing relationships
• Volunteering
• Employment
• Education
• Training

Referrals can be self referral or can be made by a partners agency.

Possible Outcomes

As above.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

Service dependent

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Currently deliver Housing Support on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Council and Youth Services in partnership with key funders.
Youth Development Service funded by Holywood Trust, Robertson Trust, The Gannochy Trust, Lloyds TSB.
 

Interventions suitable for

People with mental health issues

Programme title and provider

Support in mind: Dumfries and Galloway Services include:
The Lifeskills Project
C U Thru
Support in Mind Scotland Stranraer
Newton Stewart Resource Centre
Annan Nursery Place
Stewartry Resource Centre
Care Support D&G (East)

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

The Lifeskills Project:
Support in Mind Scotland’s multi award-winning Life Skills Project in Dumfries provides opportunities for personal development and employability skills improvement, through a combination of group work and 1:1 support for adults who are affected by mental health issues.
Activities are aimed at improving, or in many cases rediscovering skills that allow those taking part to lead a more active and worthwhile role in society. A range of employability skills are embedded into activities that allow people to be creative and imaginative, as well as having some fun along the way.
Tasks which encourage the use of these skills are all part of the group sessions, which range from art, crafts, sewing, digital photography, creative writing and IT based activities, through to discussion groups, driving test theory and literacy and numeracy. With all of these activities, strenuous efforts are always made to produce a tangible ‘outcome’. Many of these outcomes are then sold through the Project shop which is in the same building.
C U Thru
C U Thru is an early intervention project in Dumfries & Galloway for 16-30 year olds experiencing mental ill health. They can support people to rebuild confidence and self-esteem, help them feel more in control of their own life and feel able to make positive decisions to improve quality of life.
They provide a friendly relaxed atmosphere, a safe place to focus on recovery and help to work towards your own development, usually on a short-term focused basis.
Support to:

• Deal with practical barriers e.g housing and benefits.
• Explore coping strategies and problem solving techniques.
• Increase your employability, and access to paid and unpaid training, employment and education.

Support in Mind Scotland Stranraer
Resource Centre – at our new base in the Millennium Centre (George Street) we provide a safe environment for people to receive advice and talk about issues that are affecting them as well as being able to participate in activities and socialise with people in a similar situation to themselves. We facilitate numerous regular activities within the centre, such as cooking, basic computer sessions Tai Chi and a men’s group, but we also encourage people to get involved with what’s going on in the community including day trips, local outings, swimming, walking and gym sessions. We accept referrals from the Community Mental Health Teams and other allied health professionals, including referrals from Social Work.
Carers Support Group – Carers Support for the West of Dumfries and Galloway. Support is provided for family members who care for someone with mental illness. Group Support meetings are facilitated in Stranraer and Newton Stewart on a monthly basis with one to one appointments available on request. This is a regular group for people who support someone who is experiencing mental ill health. The group meet to talk to others in similar situations to themselves and receive staff support, information about services and events in the local area and further afield. They also participate in consultations relating to mental health and carers legislation. One to one support is also available should anyone require this. The group is open to anyone supporting someone affected by mental ill health. A self-referral is required for this service.
Employability Service – this service provides support for people who are in employment (supported, paid or voluntary), training, education or are working towards any of these. As well as one to one and group support, service users are supported to attend appointments with DWP, CAB and FIAT.
For those who are not yet ready to go into employment, there is a group for people wanting to gain an SVQ qualification, learn some life skills or apply for ITA grants to access college courses and to attend short courses in local libraries.
For those already in employment, regulations state that if a person is in supported employment, they can only continue this for more than 12 months if they are supported by a third sector organisation. We act as this organisation. We accept referrals from the Community Mental Health Teams and other allied health professionals, including referrals from Social Work.
Newton Stewart Resource Centre
Outreach – a one to one service for people needing support to carry out everyday tasks and continue to live independently. This support includes emotional, social and practical support. Examples are menu planning, shopping, organising bills and finances, support to organise and attend appointments, developing skills, maintaining mental and physical health and wellbeing. We accept referrals from the Community Mental Health Teams and other allied health professionals, including referrals from Social Work.
Carers Support Group – this is a regular group for people who support someone who is experiencing mental ill health. The group meet to talk to others in similar situations to themselves and receive staff support, information about services and events in the local area and further afield. They also participate in consultations relating to mental health and carers legislation. One to one support is also available should anyone require this.
The group is open to anyone supporting someone affected by mental ill health. A self-referral is required for this service.

Possible Outcomes

Service dependent

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

Service dependent

Relevant information re. funding for the programme

Funding comes from a number of sources.
*There are a large number of third sector services available across Dumfries and Galloway providing a number of different types of support. Details can be found here Members List – Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway (tsdg.org.uk)
*It should be noted that third sector information contained within this document is subject to change due to funding. Availability of service cannot be guaranteed for this reason. The document is correct only on the date submitted.