More needs to be done to get ex-offenders back into work, says Manchester MP Lucy Powell after visiting a local charity on Friday afternoon.
The charity Back on Track, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, helps disadvantaged adults re-build their lives and get back into work.
Every Friday adults are given the opportunity to try out different job roles in the areas of catering, painting, cleaning and office administration.
Ms Powell said: “It’s really important there are opportunities for people who are on probation to find their way back into work and normal life.
“And projects like this are vital in doing that. There is a great need and I’m sure demand totally outstrips supply.”
During the visit, Ms Powell spoke to volunteers and even helped ice some cakes, before stressing the importance of this type of work.
She added: “It’s vital to society as a whole, if they don’t work with people very quickly after leaving prison the likelihood is they’ll find their way back into trouble.
“We can always do more, but it’s probably the least ‘sexy’ part of public service and public funding. You don’t get clamours of the public saying money needs to be spent on ex-offenders, you usually get the opposite.”
Louise O’Neill, Business Development Officer at Back on Track, is responsible for securing funding and says Ms Powell’s visit could be crucial to raising awareness.
She said: “It’s great, particularly for a charity like this which isn’t always the most popular with the public.
“Public donations are not a huge area for us at all, so having an endorsement from someone like Lucy is really nice.”
The project helps people work together to produce a meal or paint a room, while also providing basics such as how to read and write during the week.
Tracey Tomlinson, Volunteering Outreach Worker at Back on Track, said: “It’s really great to see people grow in confidence over the weeks as they take part.
“You can see how proud they are when they complete a task and realise that work can be positive and satisfying.”
Image courtesy of labour, via YouTube. With thanks.
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