A SCHEME to help ex-criminals get back on the straight and narrow has been given a £96,000 cash injection.

Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner has awarded a funding grant to support The Well Communities Project in Barrow.

The funding will allow them to recruit, train and develop a network of 10 peer-led recovery champions who will work with ex-offenders, veterans and others seeking recovery from drug and alcohol dependency. 

The champions will support and motivate people taking part in the project to take control of their recovery, and will encourage individuals to train and gain new skills. To date they have a number of ex-offenders who have trained in construction and will help in the renovation of a building in Barrow that will house a number of projects, including a hair salon. There are two female ex-offenders who are currently re-training and will help to run the business.

There will be additional scope for other ex-offenders to also train as hairdressers and will be able to rent salon chairs to expand and build up a clientele.

Crime commissioner Peter McCall said: "Prevention of crime is key in order to reduce crime and the impact on victims. I am delighted to support the fantastic work being done by the team at The Well to help ex-offenders to make a real contribution to the community, it is a superb example of local groups taking control to make a positive difference!”

"The Well Communities Project is an excellent project that allows ex-offenders to train and develop skills to allow them to start the journey of sustainable employment and keep them away from falling back into criminal activities.

David Higham, CEO of The Well said: "This is an exciting opportunity for The Well to develop our work in Cumbria. Our aim is to  help people recover from addiction and crime, this project enables us to do just that. 

"We understand the support that individuals and their families need to free  themselves from the vicious cycle of offending and drug/alcohol use. 

"Virtually all of our staff and volunteers have been offenders and addicted to substances themselves and have overcome a number of struggles; we are living proof that change is possible. 

"Setting up The Well has enabled dozens of people to to access services and support to address their problems and give something back to the community they abused whilst in the grips of addiction. We believe in the therapeutic value of one person helping another and this scheme will enable that to take place. 

"Since we have been in Cumbria, we have helped a number of people  stop using drugs and committing crime and get back into work, training and volunteering opportunities. 

"Anyone wanting help with addiction issues, either for themselves or their family can contact Carl Molyneux on 07902749743."