Background to community chaplaincy
Community chaplaincies are independent faith based voluntary organisations providing resettlement support and mentoring for people leaving prison. Community chaplaincies usually start their work in prison, meet the individual at the prison gates on release and provide on-going support in the community for as long as needed.
Community chaplaincies take a holistic approach to meeting people’s needs, working with each person as an individual and respecting their needs and goals. Mentors work with mentees in a variety of ways including: signposting mentees to resources and advocating on their behalf, supporting progress and listening to mentees’ concerns, encouraging pro-social attitudes and behaviour, supporting family contact and demonstrating hope and optimism.
The first community chaplaincy organisations in England and Wales were established in the early years of the 21st century. The development of this work, alongside other faith-based responses to the problem of re-offending, received support from the National Offender Management Service (NOMS - now known as HMPPS). In 2006 NOMS sponsored the employment of a community chaplaincy development officer by the organisation Clinks.
What makes our approach different
Community Chaplaincy projects seek to provide holistic support for people, that is; practical, emotional, relational, developmental, social and spiritual.
Projects work with people of all faiths and none. It is not zealous outreach, although it will respond to those who wish to explore and develop their faith, whatever faith that may be.
Community Chaplaincy engages with the lives of many people in our society who are in deep trouble; disaffected, judged in the popular press, depressed and anxious, affected by troubled family relationships, or suffering from drug misuse issues. In short, already in prison.
Our society’s culture is not one that encourages long term relationships, delayed gratifications, civic responsibility, personal depth or self respect. It is inevitable that many people fall foul of the law and find themselves in prison.
How does community chaplaincy work?
Reducing Offending
Working With Volunteers
Desistance Research
Desistance theory states that the move away from crime is more of a process than an event, and that genuine desistance occurs through a combination of activities, services and social circumstances.
Desistance Research
Working With Volunteers
Desistance Research
Cambridge University was commissioned to undertake a piece of research to increase the evidence base for the importance of holistic, person-centred support.
Working With Volunteers
Working With Volunteers
Working With Volunteers
The work often relies on volunteers who give their time to support those who are seeking to make a fresh start after leaving prison.
Measuring Outcomes
Personal Experiences
Working With Volunteers
We have developed our holistic way of measuring outcomes. People who are successful at turning away from offending often need to make changes to the way they think and behave.
Personal Experiences
Personal Experiences
Personal Experiences
Personal stories from mentors and mentees from different community chaplaincies across the country.
Importance Of Faith
Personal Experiences
Personal Experiences
The faith ethos of Community Chaplaincy provides a firm foundation for the work that we do, a motivation for doing it, and ultimately, a profound benefit for those we work with.