West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy Project is an independent resettlement organisation, based at HMP Leeds, which reduces re-offending.

We are a ‘through the gate’ project; providing practical support and encouragement to men leaving HMP Leeds and Wealstun, pre and post release to help them cope with life in the community without offending.

We use volunteers – volunteer link workers – to support ex-prisoners in the community and encourage applications from ex-offenders.

Resettlement workers visit offenders – service users – for assessment and action planning prior to their release from prison. They meet them on release with a volunteer link worker, and then staff and volunteers offer support, advice, and signposting as appropriate during the critical weeks and months after release.

The support needs are those identified by the service user as significant to them in maintaining a crime-free life. As well as assisting a service user to access accommodation, training and employment we provide assistance in becoming organised and attending appointments; getting into mental health services or supported housing. Our staff and volunteers are trained to address and discuss men’s attitude towards offending and deal with these specific issues to promote change.

WYCCPs ultimate measure of success is that a man maintains a crime free life following release from prison. We recognise a range of important indicators of success which could include men settling into accommodation; dealing with substance misuse; undertaking training or finding employment.

As a multi faith organisation we do not proselytise, but see the work that we do as a practical application of faith.