The Saltbox Christian Centre

North Staffs Community Chaplaincy Project

In December 2007, the Saltbox took over responsibility for the North Staffs Community Chaplaincy Project.  This is a faith-based project which looks to help rehabilitate ex-offenders by providing mentoring & support as well access to housing provision.

Since the beginning of the project in 2004, over 170 ex-offenders have been helped.  Currently, the two community chaplains and the project administrator are supporting 45 clients and providing property management for over 21 local properties.

Community Chaplaincy recognises the damage that is caused to individuals and to the community through crime. It exists to provide support to people leaving prison of all faiths and none, providing professional mentoring, befriending and support to people facing a range of issues.

Less than 25% of the ex-offenders helped and housed by the project have returned to prison, which is significantly lower than the national average rate of over 60%.

In 2007, the project was independently inspected by Wider Impact Consultancy. The executive summary from the evaluation is included in the 2007 Community Chaplaincy Project Annual Report: [annual report in adobe format]

The full Wider Impact report is available to download from the Wider Impact website: www.widerimpact.com/docs/community_chaplaincy_project.pdf

Amongst a number of partners, the Community Chaplaincy Project is especially pleased to work closely with Green Pastures based in Southport: www.greenpastureshousing.co.uk