On release from prison or other sentence, the leaver (and their family) often need help. The Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund gives grants for essentials which enable them to make a new start e.g. everyday clothes or clothes for a job interview, a training course, tools of trade, or household equipment (a fridge, a bed).
Applications for such timely help are made, mainly soon after release, by the Probation Service or other social welfare agencies. The Fund immediately evaluates applications to ensure eligibility. All eligible applications are funded and the grant money is handled by the recommending service only. Typically grants are in the range of £150 – £250, but larger grants up to £1,000 are made for education and training.
Prison leavers must live within the M25; and are not permitted to apply for themselves, only via the probation service or social welfare agencies.
Education And Training Courses
Courses for which education or training grants have been given over the last few years include:
- Asbestos removal
- Barbering
- Beauty treatments
- Book-keeping
- Construction Skills Certification Scheme card
- Demolition
- Driving Certificate of Professional Competence
- Driving lessons
- Electrical installation
- Electrician
- Fibre optic
- Forklift driving
- Gas fitter
- HGV driving
- Highway maintenance
- Laminate and wood flooring
- Motorcycle repairs
- Personal track safety
- Personal trainer
- Rail training
- Scaffolding
- Security Industry Authority Door Supervisor badge
- Sports massage
- Tailoring
- Traffic management
- Welding course
