Supporting young people in prison

 For over 8 years Wolverhampton YMCA has been offering support to young people in custody both at HM Young Offenders Institutions  Brinsford and Werrington. YMCA Project Officer, Roy, works with the young people and supports them to develop, encouraging them to make positive life choices.

Community projects

Roy provides a programme of activities which not only give the young people a chance to be away from their cells but also gives them opportunities to learn and develop new skills, socially and vocationally.

Be it building BMX tracks for young people in the community; repairing woodland paths; joining the fire cadets course, or the redecoration of a youth hut, the young people engage in projects and recognise the benefits of contributing to their communities in a positive way.  This enhances their resettlement aims and promotes active citizenship for young people - giving them an alternative to custody.

Restorative Justice

Part of Roy's work in prison focuses on Restorative Justice Mediation, which involves arranging meetings between a young offender and their victim to enable both parties to talk and understand the real impact of their crime with a chance to do something to repair the harm.