A successful mentoring charity working with soon to be released offenders has launched in Winchester. It will now work across Hampshire and had its official start at a special service and event in Winchester Cathedral.
The Footprints Project mentors men and women who are leaving prison or serving a community sentence in the Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire area. It's aim is to reduce the risk of reoffending by helping clients re-integrate into their local community.
It offers a 'through the gate' service, meeting with them prior to and on release from prison. Mentors, who are made up of trained volunteers from the community, support and guide their clients, providing the assistance they need to live a meaningful life without further resorting to crime.
The charity has been brought to Hampshire by the work of Winchester residents Rex and Sarah Chester and they invited Steve Brine to their launch event on Thursday 23 April 2015. After a special Evensong service in the Cathedral, guests (including Police & Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes) gathered in The Close.
Steve says; "This charity is about turning peoples' lives around and has a strong track record in doing just that. People who commit crimes must be punished for that, and they are, but we are running a flase economy if we don't act to stop the cycle of offending.
"Most things Rex & Sarah are involved with do well so I know Footprints has the strongest foundation in Hampshire as it begins its work here. It's especially important here because we have HMP Winchester in the city and I expect to see positive local results from their work. I look forward to getting to know the team and to helping them wherever I can."
Steve spent much of the 2010-2015 Parliament of the Justice Select Committee and is passionate about the need to reduce re-offending and reduce the prison population.
After the Footprints event, Steve hopped across The Cathedral Close to P&G Wells Booksellers in College Street for the launch of a new book co-written by Winchester's Bill Lucas.
Educating Ruby: what our children really need to learn is a powerful call to action for everyone who cares about education in an uncertain world. It shows, unequivocally, that schools can get the right results in the right way so that the Rubys of tomorrow will emerge from their time at school able to talk with honest pleasure and reflective optimism about their schooling.
Steve was invited to the event by Bill who he is working alongside as a Board member of the new Barton Farm Primary Academy being established by the University of Winchester.
He adds; "Bill's a valued colleague and I think this book presents a fascinating thesis that is well worth exploring. I look forward to reading it when the election is over and I get a chance this Summer."
Pictured (top); Steve has a 'selfie' with Sarah Chester at the launch event and with Bill and co-author Guy Claxton at P&G Wells
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Read about Steve's visit to Texas with the JSC in 2013