The Skill Mill provides young ex-offenders with opportunities to undertake environmental maintenance work within both urban and rural settings with paid employment with a non-profit social enterprise.
The Skill Mill was established in Newcastle during September 2013 and became operational in February 2014. The pro-gramme recruits only the top 10% of serious and persistent offenders and since 2014 has a re-conviction rate of 8%.
Teams are operating in Northumberland, Newcastle, Leeds, County Durham, Rochdale/Bury, Birmingham, Nottingham, Croydon, Surrey and West Sussex, Norfolk and Oldham. The local Police and Crime Commissioners are supporting and engaged with the programme which contributes to community safety strategies and building community cohesion and resilience.
The programme has as its main objectives;
- Building desistance for the most prolific and serious offenders
- Long term job creation
- Skill development
- Strong partnerships with commercial and government sectors
- Flood Risk Reduction
- Natural Habitat Protection
It is designed to challenge discrimination by employers and the wider community of young ex-offenders.
| www.theskillmill.org |