Investing in rehabilitation

The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust’s Investing in Rehabilitation programme makes grants of between £7,500 and £75,000 (however no more than 50% of the applicant’s annual turnover) to charities, CICs, social enterprises or other properly constituted not-for-profit organisations that support the rehabilitation of offenders and help reduce the collateral consequences of their imprisonment for their families; with the overall aim of reducing reoffending and making the communities of Kent safer.

This programme will fund local organisations working in Kent and national charities currently offering, or planning to offer their services in the county. Collaborative/partnership working is particularly welcome, but consortium applications must be submitted by a ‘lead’ organisation.

The programme will fund a wide range of work including, but not exclusively:

• mentoring services – including peer mentors;

• pre-and post release support in areas such as gaining employment or accommodation;

• schemes for developing self-awareness and personal growth including through the arts, sport or work with animals;

• family engagement – helping prisoners to stay in touch with their children and families;

• restorative justice and schemes that allow offenders to ‘give something back’;

• community outreach for those at risk of offending;

• challenging stereotypes – programmes that counter the negative perceptions of ex- offenders as a homogeneous group; and

• move-on and half-way house provision.

Extra priority will be given to groups that:

• clearly explain the focus of their work and define its intended outcomes;

• demonstrate a commitment to service user involvement; and

• demonstrate collaborative/partnership working.

(The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust also fund work investing in Families, Communities and Young People)

Deadline: Continuous rolling programme.

Eligibility criteria

• Organisations must be a registered charity, CIC, social enterprise or other properly constituted not-for-profit organisation3 with a management committee with at least three unrelated members • Organisations must be working with people living in, or in custody within Kent; • Funding will not be allocated for core costs of an existing service unless this will unlock new opportunities or extend the service in some way; • Organisations must be able to provide at least two years of published financial accounts; • Grants can be paid only into a UK bank account in the organisation’s name.