Yellow Ribbon ongoing programmes
Yellow Ribbon runs various ongoing programmes:
- Music Therapy
- Foundation Course
- Nature Walks & Regular Excursions
- Alpha Course
- House meal prep
These programmes cover various areas, including employability, mental wellbeing, drug and alcohol recovery and practical life skills
Foundation Course
Our Foundation course is part of our core programme. Spread over 4 weeks in a group setting, the foundation course aim to help our clients to change their mindset and empower them in decision making.The course offers various tools and techniques to enable the clients to look at themselves from a different prospective and helps them manage everyday situations – such as conflict and stress. The course also covers budgeting and money management. cooking skills and sharing a range of recipes which helps in batch cooking and storing food the right way.The course aims to help clients share where they are at in their progress. It aims to help them set goals for their progress and Journey and gives them the chance to share with the staff any concerns or any accomplishments. Each 4 weeks course ends with celebrating the clients plan of achievement and follow up their progress.
Thursday Bacon Bap & Walk
There is food share for anyone needing, Clients from Shrewsbury and Telford are all welcome to attend the Drop in. once they meet up they discus where
they would like to go for a walk in idyllc setting.
Some of the walks are nature walks and some are visiting significant places which brings inspiration to the Thursday group.
Alpha Course & Meal
The Alpha Course is a multi-week program that introduces the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions:
Each session covers a different topic of faith, such as "Who is Jesus?", "How can we have faith?", or "How does God guide us?"
Sessions start with a time of connection, such as over a meal, to relax and build friendships. Talks are designed to inspire conversation, and participants have the opportunity to share their thoughts in small groups.
The Friday meal,
Is a chance for any client to come along ,mingle, catch up and assist in preparing and cooking a meal .
Once prepared they all sit down and eat together as a community. Then talk about the highs and lows of the week.
After the meal for anyone wishing to stay on , they can stay for the Alpha course.
YR Houses
In our houses we aim to create a culture of acceptance, belonging and growth where members are listened to and valued, as well as challenged constructively.
Leaving prison can be a confusing and difficult time for many people. Many will have suffered a relationship breakdown or be unable to return to their previous address either as a licence condition or through risk of return to previous offending behaviours due to their environment and association with others. This often results in ex-offenders ending up in a Bail Hostel upon release. These however are often reported as being difficult places to live, where the risks of drug use and / or violent behaviour are frequently present. We have a range of projects which address these issues, providing training opportunities and work experience as part of the returning to work process.
Through the Gate work.
Our experience and feedback from ex-offenders and prison staff including chaplaincies tells us that the transition from prison to life outside is incredibly challenging. Indeed, for many ex-offenders the change from secure and controlled living to independent living is a terrifying experience and very hard to adapt to. This can lead to mental ill-health, substance misuse and indeed, reoffending. In our experience, early contact and relationship-building is key to developing a positive and robust journey for clients. Our experience in the past shows us that early intervention, during the last few months of prison life can seriously help negate the anxiety and fear that release can lead to. These relationships are more fruitful for the client if they are long term and consistent.
A good number of prisoners find comfort and community in chapel life in prison. It can be difficult for clients who are on a faith journey, particularly those whose journey began with prison chaplaincy, to find a spiritual home and the support they need to continue their journey outside of prison. Indeed, life without the support of a chapel community can add to the fear and disconnect that many ex-offenders experience on release.
We work with Chaplaincies and Reducing Reoffending teams in Prisons in the West Midlands to connect with Prisoners in the months before release. This includes mentoring and support. In HMP Stoke Heath we piloted a six-week pre-release program covering areas such as goal setting, decision making and self-esteem alongside employability skills. This was tremendously appreciated by those who participated.
"Only 8% of people released from Prison are in PAYE employment six weeks after release. After a year the figure rises to just 17%"
