Direction for Bedfordshire is the way forward; providing a free and confidential service to vulnerable and marginalised people; including individuals with offending histories and those around them.
Direction for Bedfordshire is a signposting, support and advice service linking to a database of partners and organisations from the voluntary sector who are working together to support offenders, ex-offenders and their families; including specialist providers who can point you in the right direction for the help you need. We recognise that vulnerable and marginalised people can also be at risk of offending, and therefore we want to be a positive resource for these individuals as well. We want to act as a preventative tool in these cases to address problems in their early stages to reduce the likelihood of crime. Our online directory can be used as a self-help tool for finding appropriate services. For more complex cases we have two dedicated staff members who have the knowledge and capacity to deal with queries.
Direction offers advice around opportunities for education, training and volunteering to up-skill individuals for employment. Direction can give guidance on housing options and providers who can work on financial management. We work with organisations who help improve the quality of lives of those affected by drug and alcohol use, and who support the mental and physical well-being of vulnerable people across Bedfordshire. Direction can make connections to family and relationship services that can benefit both service users and their support network. We recognise that women and young people have their own individual needs and we have partnership links with professionals who understand these.
Family members and friends are often the main source of emotional, practical and financial support for offenders. The impact of a family member’s imprisonment can be considerable and Direction is here to support them when they need it.
Direction for Bedfordshire also benefits all sections of society in Bedfordshire by reducing levels of crime.