Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach is to visit the volunteers behind a rehabilitation project helping ex-offenders gain the skills they need to find work.
The PCC has committed to a two-year funding grant to Leicestershire Cares which will amount to £40,000 per year for its WIRE Project (Working in Rehabilitation & Employment).
The initiative aims to match up ex-offenders with two-week unpaid work placements with local businesses in an occupation of their choice.
The scheme will help ex-offenders motivated to changing their lifestyles to access first-hand work experience and acquire a positive reference from an employer.
Leicestershire Cares has developed positive relationships with a wide range of employers across the county to offer ex-offenders relevant placements that match their interests.
The PCC will be given an opportunity to meet staff from participating employer Alltruck in Bakewell Road, Loughborough, during a visit to the firm on February 14, as well as representatives from other local companies taking part in the scheme.
Speaking ahead of the event, Willy Bach said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting the faces behind this fantastic project and learning more about the positive impact it is having on the lives of those taking part.
“This scheme underpins my Police and Crime Plan vision to do more to prevent crime by giving ex-offenders the tools they need to make positive decisions for their future.”
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Posted on Tuesday 7th February 2017