Funding opportunity: Tackling drug misuse in Greater Norwich
This funding opportunity closed on Tuesday 6 April 2021.
Could your organisation help support men and women who have or may come into contact with the criminal justice system into employment?
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Lorne Green would like to hear from organisations interested in providing a support service for men and women who have or may come into contact with the criminal justice system.
The 'Pathways Out' service will provide positive educational experiences, training and employment opportunities in order to encourage participants away from illicit drug activity and towards alternative economic futures.
The PCC is looking to award funding for a support worker role. Total funding of £95,000 over two years is being made available by the Department for Work and Pensions East Anglia and Norfolk Public Health England.
Norfolk PCC Lorne Green said: “We’re looking for an organisation to work collaboratively with us in tackling drug misuse in our county and playing our part in the national effort to disrupt drug supply.
“We want to support those coming into contact with our criminal justice system, or at risk of doing so, to imagine and strive for a different future – one where they have the help, skills, experience and opportunity to secure employment, earn money and turn their lives around.
“The potential for project participants, and benefit to the wellbeing and safety of the wider community, is great. If you think your organisation can help us reach our ambitious goals, we’d like to hear from you.”
Julia Nix, East Anglia District Manager for the Department for Work and Pensions, said: "Continuing a long-standing relationship, once again I am delighted to be working in partnership with the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver this joint Pathway Out Project programme, building on our successful approach to engaging employers to consider ex-offenders through our Gateway to Employment initiative.
"It is crucial to the delivery of this programme that we get the right delivery partner as this will make such a difference to the lives of those who receive support from the programme in the future."
Anne-Louise Schofield, Norfolk County Council, Public Health added: “Pathway Out delivery will form part of Project ADDER (Addiction, Disruption, Diversion, Enforcement, Recovery). It will enable people engaged in this programme to move towards and secure training and employment opportunities, supporting them to be diverted from criminal behaviour and in helping their recovery from addition.
"We are looking for an organisation to work dynamically as part of this multi-agency programme, which is able to effectively work with this client group.”
Organisations interested in applying will need to register on the Bluelight Portal by Friday 26 February 2021 in readiness for the start of the funding round.
They should also view the OPCCN Applications Checklist.