Third sector organisation goes from strength to strength
In June 2023 Recovery Enterprises Scotland successfully opened their new Foundations Hub, Visitors Centre at HMP Kilmarnock. Marking an important milestone in their journey to create a supportive and inclusive environment for people in custody and their families.
Within the Visitors Centre, staff strive to create a supportive environment, foster strong connections, promote understanding, and provide essential resources to people in custody and their loved ones during challenging times.
The centre is designed to be a safe and welcoming space for people visiting the prison, where they can access various services and connect with others who may be going through a similar experience. Staff are committed to promoting resilience, healing, and personal growth.
Lorna Dalziel, Director said “None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the staff at HMP Kilmarnock, who have welcomed us in and have very much made us part of their team, and also the dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners. We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed their time, resources, and expertise to make this vision a reality. Together we are making a difference.”
The Foundations Hub aim to be hosting surgeries within the centre to provide vital help and support to the families and loved ones visiting the prison. The team are currently engaging with Social Security Scotland, Ayr Housing Aid, NHS Oral Health Team, Seascape and CHAP to name but a few to establish these surgeries.
The team also provide pre and post release support to those in custody within HMP Kilmarnock, offering tailored person centred support plans in preparation for release, along with gate pick-ups, one to one support to attend initial appointments and ongoing support as required.
More recently Project Leader Jayne Rooney attended an online learning event with Digital Lifelines Scotland, who seek to improve digital inclusion and to design digital solutions that better meet people’s needs, to improve the health outcomes for people who use drugs, reducing the risk of harm and death. Recovery Enterprises Scotland have been awarded further funding from Digital Lifelines Scotland which will help many of the people they work with.
Relationships continue to flourish with partner organisations, the team met recently with Fedcap who are keen to provide employment support to people linked in with the Foundations Hub. Links have also been made with Scottish Drug Forum to see how a partnership can be developed. There has also been continued support from local staff in partner organisations including East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Ayrshire Police Division, Serco as well as local Elected Members.
Community Project Leaders Margaret Thomson and Ronnie Skeet continue to run the Foundations Hub in Kilmarnock town centre. Offering support to people who drop into the Hub as well as many who are referred from partner organisations. A weekly Crisis meeting takes place to ensure adequate supports are in place for the most vulnerable people in the community, this meeting is attended by Police Scotland, Community Mental Health Team, NHS Crisis Team, Homeless and Addiction Nurses and our East Ayrshire Recovery Hub colleagues.
Twice weekly drop in’s take place on Monday and Friday’s, providing people with various support to empower them to have confidence in dealing with issues they are faced with. The team provide one to one tailored support, addressing the many issues people present with. More recently the team have begun managing crisis situations throughout the locality, with them reporting a rise in crisis supports required over the last few months. This involves them working alongside several partner organisations to get adequate supports implemented.
A weekly Young At Heart Group runs within the community hub, predominantly supporting people suffering from dementia and their carers, offering a vast range of activities to combat the loneliness and isolation that is felt. Food hampers are distributed weekly to those who are socially isolated as well as to anyone presenting with a need.
Background
Recovery Enterprises Scotland is an innovative organisation with a social conscience. They aim to work with communities to tackle social issues such as poverty, isolation, and equitable access to support.
Their mission is to improve the quality of the lives of people and families seeking recovery from alcohol, drugs, offending, homelessness, and mental health issues.