Leading offender rehabilitation charity Lincolnshire Action Trust celebrated its dedicated volunteers during a week of events which coincided with National Volunteer Week.

Lincolnshire Action Trust (LAT) invited its volunteer mentors to an afternoon tea to celebrate their achievements.

Laura Priestley, Mentor Coordinator at LAT, said: “The event was a chance to share some of the many successes including our work with a client called Adam (name changed).

“Adam has mental health issues and was not engaging during appointments with his Probation Offender Manager. However, in the short time since Adam started working with his LAT mentor, they have developed a unique relationship.

“Adam opens up to his mentor in a way he has never done previously. His mentor attends some of his appointments with him and they are tackling the challenges that Adam faces together.”

As well as celebrating recent successes, the volunteers took the opportunity to find out more about the range of services provided by LAT and their partners during the event on Monday 5^th June.

Mentors are often the first people to signpost offenders and those at risk of offending to specialist support services including LAT’s Money Mentor, who is experienced in helping offenders address their debt, benefit and other financial problems.

Laura said: “We are incredibly grateful for the compassion, professionalism and skills that our volunteer mentors offer. It was a pleasure to recognise this by presenting them with a certificate and a token of our appreciation during our celebration event.”

In the 11 years since it was established, the mentor scheme has provided support to hundreds of young people and adults through the successful partnerships between mentors and mentees.

Matches are made based on information such as shared interests, compatibility and past experiences. Mentors and clients meet for an hour, once a week to overcome challenges and work towards their future goals.

Director of Operations Christina Hall added: “We absolutely could not do what we do without our volunteer mentors.

“LAT aims to reduce the rate of re-offending and experience has shown us that by having someone to talk to and work through some of the bigger challenges, our clients stand a better chance of breaking the cycle of offending.”

To find out more about Lincolnshire Action Trust please visit: latcharity.org.uk or to read our mentor case studies please visit: www.latcharity.org.uk/about/case-studies

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with Lincolnshire Action Trust can contact Laura Priestley on 01522 806611 or via volunteering@latcharity.org.uk

Ends

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.
• For more information, visit www.LATcharity.org.uk

For media information contact:
Kerri Saxby
Shooting Star
01522 528540
kerri@weareshootingstar.co.uk