Service will offer opportunities to ex-offenders
A new Integrated Offender Management Hub in South Wimbledon, hosting a number of agencies under one roof to provide an all round service to ex-offenders, has been opened.
The Hub, on the High Path estate, offers those with an offending past the opportunity to turn their lives around and move away from a life of crime.
Partner agencies include Merton’s alcohol and substance abuse service, SHP - the charity for homeless and vulnerable people, National Careers Service which helps with education and employment and Moving On- a service which provides employment skills.
Work began on the building in October to completely transform the former workshop into an uplifting and creative environment for offenders. The new facility now contains five PCs with internet access, a kitchen, small library area, interview room and a staff office.
Merton’s cabinet member for community safety, engagement and equality, Councillor Edith Macauley said: "This hub will enable services to work together under one roof with service users. I believe working together will help reduce the number of people who go on to reoffend."
Mark Johnstone, assistant chief officer of the London Probation Trust said: "We want to build the capacity and potential of the Merton multi-agency hub over the next few months to reduce reoffending rates. The Hub is creating an opportunity to engage with partners and service users and change the lives of offenders to make Merton an even safer borough."
January 24, 2014