Young Oasis, the support service for young people affected by parental drug or alcohol misuse in Lincolnshire, has been shortlisted for financial support by a national funding programme.

The Aviva Community Fund, which seeks to support projects throughout the UK, has shortlisted Lincolnshire Action Trust’s Young Oasis programme in the Supporting the Younger Generation category.

The winners will be decided following a public vote which opened on Friday 21^st October and closes on Friday 18^th November. Each individual has 10 votes and can choose to use them across the board or to support a favourite project.

Alison Goddard, LAT Chief Executive, said: “We are overwhelmed to have been shortlisted for funding. If we’re successful it will allow us to support a further 15 children over the coming year.”

Young Oasis helps children and young people build their own resilience, self-esteem and emotional wellbeing to cope with a parent misusing drugs or alcohol. Lincolnshire Action Trust (LAT) staff also offer practical advice to young people about coping strategies and how to strengthen their own support network.

In May 2016, the programme was at risk of closure after Lincolnshire County Council’s public health funding ceased.

The service, which was established in 2000, has provided support to more than 100 young people aged five to 18 years in the last 12 months and has been able to continue its work thanks to private donations.

Alison added: “Most Young Oasis referrals come through schools and we see many young people within the school environment as they regard this as ‘safe’.

“Referrals have steadily increased since the end of 2015 owing to an improved awareness of the project’s work. Several of the young people we support have parents who have professional jobs, which can result in the situation being ‘hidden’, making it hard for the child to seek help.”

Support between the Young Oasis team and individual young people typically lasts between nine and 12 months, usually on a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending on their needs.

Alison concluded: “In the next five weeks we will be contacting as many people as possible to ask them to cast their vote to help us continue to support young people in Lincolnshire.”

To cast your vote please visit https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/16-1536 Successful finalists will be announced on 22^nd November and the winners on 10^th January 2017.

For more information about the range of programmes being delivered by Lincolnshire Action Trust please visit the new website: www.LATcharity.org.uk

End

Notes to editors:

• Established in 2000, Lincolnshire Action Trust (LAT) is a registered charity based in Lincoln.
• LAT works with statutory and non-statutory agencies to improve the skills and employability of offenders and prisoners in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland and Leicestershire.
• LAT delivers a proactive and innovative partnership approach to achieve the care, resettlement and rehabilitation of offenders, those at risk of offending and their families.
• LAT identifies client needs and gaps in current provision and designs bespoke services to address them. Services are tailored to the individual and include sessions on advice and guidance, debt and financial advice, accommodation support, employability and family support and disclosure.
• LAT hosts the UK’s only ‘departure lounge’ at HMP Lincoln, which aims to support offenders as they are released. The lounge offers a basic help package to address any immediate needs but can also provide guidance on housing, travel and other long-term needs.
• LAT receives funding from a variety of sources including Children in Need for its Children’s Support Services at HMP Lincoln.
• LAT delivers SPARC (Supporting People After Remand or Conviction) an assessment service at Lincoln Magistrates Court which addresses the immediate needs of offenders who have been sentenced.
• For more information, visit LATcharity.org.uk

For media information contact:

Kerri Saxby               
Shooting Star                                   
01522 528540            
kerri@weareshootingstar.co.uk