Description of Services
Revolving Doors Agency (RDA) is the UK's leading charity concerned with mental health and the criminal justice system. The organisation runs practical schemes in police stations, prisons and courts to support people who have 'fallen through the net' of mainstream services. What they learn enables them to provide project development support to other agencies and to conduct research and policy work at local and national level.
Since it was established in 1993, RDA has been at the forefront of work with offenders with mental health problems who seemed unable to access mainstreams services. After 4 years of in depth research, in 1997 RDA piloted three community-based police station link worker schemes, taking referrals directly from police stations. The success of these schemes saw the work extended to prisons, courts and police stations in four areas of London (Tower Hamlets, Ealing, Islington and South Buckinghamshire). RDA work with people with some of the most complex needs and helping them gain stability in their tenancies and thus in other areas of their lives.
Purpose of Grant
The grant enabled Revolving Doors, in conjunction with St Mungo's, to set up, run and evaluate a scheme in Islington providing accommodation for 10 people at any time, with mental health and multiple needs leaving prison. The scheme has a link worker service to help 200 clients each year with their housing and related needs. The scheme also aims to provide a more detailed understanding of needs and develop and share a new model of working.
Contact
Crispin Truman, Chief Executive: crispin@revolving-doors.co.uk
Weblink: www.revolving-doors.co.uk
