Prevention in action – visiting those providing support when it’s really needed
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the launch of a new Bristol café run and built by former prisoners. I also visited a charity which supports disadvantaged young people who are struggling in mainstream education and Eastside Community Trust whose vision is to make Easton and Lawrence Hill in East Central Bristol, a place of possibility for everyone.
New Café to be run by former prisoners
It was remarkable to see people from diverse backgrounds and different sectors – statutory agencies, voluntary sector and funders, coming together and working to reduce re-offending. Preventing crime is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan. As Chair of the Criminal Justice Board, I am very much aware of the importance of partnership working, and the positive impact of initiatives such as the Key Café. We work with partners to reduce reoffending and the ‘revolving door’ of crime, but it is also hugely important to get up-stream and address the root causes of crime.
The Key Café, a not-for-profit initiative run by The Restore Trust is based at a former Ministry of Justice building opposite HMP Bristol on Gloucester Road, Bristol. The Key Cafe is set to open its doors to the public on May 7th.
Talking to Suzanne Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of The Restore Trust during the launch, she said they hope that the project will give people the chance to learn skills, improving not just their employability, but also their self-confidence.
The Restore Trust, is an organisation whose mission is to reduce reoffending rates by providing practical skills and work experience to individuals transitioning from prison.
The Wheels Project: Driving ambition through re-engagement, learning and achievement for young people
I had the pleasure to visit the Wheels Project where I saw young people in action learning motor vehicle studies. The project supports young people between 14-18 years of age, struggling in education or with specialist educational needs from Bath, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
They run small groups of four, providing young people with practical functional skills, teamwork, communication skills and understanding of safety and risk issues. Reducing serious youth violence is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan. The Wheels Project has been working with the South
Gloucestershire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) for several years. They provide a weekly intervention (for 6 weeks) for young people not in full-time education. Kart driving, kart building and vehicle maintenance courses are offered to young people who are not in education. Across 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 over 30 young people had placements at The Wheels Project funded by the South Glos VRP.
Eastside Community Trust- making Easton and Lawrence Hill a place of possibility
I also had the pleasure of visiting Eastside Community Trust, who are based at the vibrant Easton Community Centre. The Trust was created in 2020 from a merger of Easton Community Centre, Felix Road Adventure Playground and Up Our Street. These three successful and well-respected charities have always worked closely and share many of the same values and aspirations for the community.
The Trust provide people of all ages with places and ways to connect. The aim being to bring people together and build healthy and happy neighbourhoods. They run several projects to inform and inspire action in Easton and Lawrence Hill making East Central Bristol a place of possibility for everyone.
I joined a walk about on Felix Road Adventure Playground which operate a child-led play and work ethic providing a mix of targeted and universal children’s services. Easton Community Centre runs a busy hub open seven days a week offering affordable meeting and office spaces with a café, nursery and community radio station. It is inspiring to see communities coming together to create a safe and welcoming space for all, where children play in the street and public space is shared and respected.
