Organisations invited to join project tackling drugs in Norwich
This funding opportunity closed on Tuesday 6 April 2021.
A funding round launched today is inviting bids from organisations interested in working with Norfolk partners to tackle drug misuse and supply in the Greater Norwich area.
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Lorne Green, whose office is managing the funding round on behalf of partners, is inviting applications from organisations which can support people coming into contact with the criminal justice system into employment.
The support service, known as ‘Pathway Out’, will provide participants with positive educational experiences, training and employment opportunities to encourage them away from illicit drug activity and towards alternative economic futures.
The PCC is looking to award funding for a support worker role. Total funding of £95,000 over two financial years is being made available by the Department for Work and Pensions East Anglia and Norfolk Public Health England.
Norfolk PCC Lorne Green, said: “We’re looking for an organisation to work collaboratively with us in tackling drug misuse in our county and playing our part in the national effort to disrupt drug supply.
“We want to support those coming into contact with our criminal justice system, or at risk of doing so, to imagine and strive for a different future – one where they have the help, skills, experience and opportunity to secure employment, earn money and turn their lives around.
“The potential for project participants, and benefit to the wellbeing and safety of the wider community, is great. If you think your organisation can help us reach our ambitious goals, we’d like to hear from you.”
Plans for the Pathway Out service build on the success of local projects like Gateway to Employment. Recognising the impact of having a job on reducing offending, crime and anti-social behaviour, Gateway to Employment has provided over 200 positive educational, training and employment opportunities to ex-offenders since its launch in 2015.
Julia Nix, East Anglia District Manager for the Department for Work and Pensions, said: "Continuing a long-standing relationship, once again I am delighted to be working in partnership with the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver this joint Pathway Out programme, building on our successful approach to engaging employers to consider ex-offenders through our Gateway to Employment initiative.
"It is crucial to the delivery of this programme that we get the right delivery partner as this will make such a difference to the lives of those who receive support from the programme in the future."
Aiming to launch later in the year, the Pathway Out service will run as part of a wider nationally-funded drive to tackle drug misuse, for which Greater Norwich is a pilot area.
Anne-Louise Schofield, Norfolk County Council - Public Health, added: “Pathway Out delivery will form part of Project ADDER (Addiction, Disruption, Diversion, Enforcement, Recovery). It will enable people engaged in this programme to move towards and secure training and employment opportunities, supporting them to be diverted from criminal behaviour and in helping their recovery from addition.
"We are looking for an organisation to work dynamically as part of this multi-agency programme, which is able to effectively work with this client group.”
The fund will close to applications on Tuesday 6 April 2021.