A PROJECT supporting people serving sentences at HMP Hewell and their families has received a cash boost of almost £450,000.
The Hewell Rainbow Project, as part of Worcestershire YMCA Limited, has been awarded £446,296 from the Big Lottery Fund to help provide support to some of the most vulnerable people in the surrounding areas.
Supported by the grant, the project will continue to offer parenting courses, family days, baby bonding sessions, and workshops, which are aimed at creating a supportive environment for prisoners on their release by strengthening family bonds and improving communication.
For the first time the project will also give staff in schools and nurseries the skills they need to identify and support children affected by imprisonment, helping to improve their well-being.
Nichola Harris, HMP Hewell’s Children and Families Manager, said: “The Big Lottery funding will allow the YMCA’s Children and Families Team to provide much needed support to offenders and the often forgotten victims of crime, their children and families.
“This is an exciting opportunity to improve the quality of life for offenders and their families.”
Across the West Midlands, 130 projects will receive a total of £3,029,075 from the National Lottery and the funding will support a wide range of projects enabling people to improve their skills, meet new people and strengthen their communities.
