I have worked in partnership with SCE over the last couple of years in my role as a prison throughcare support officer and have found this service to be invaluable. I have supported local service users to meet with staff there who I have found to be welcoming, friendly and positive.

Each of my service users have been given relevant information, advice, group work opportunities and more importantly 1-1 support regarding how best to live positively in the community. What I evidenced was an increase in their confidence, identification of existing skills and promotion of new skills that enabled them to consider volunteering opportunities, college placements and employment opportunities.

Not only this but the centre offers a safe environment to attend when feeling lonely, bored or low in mood. There is always a friendly face and a sound ear to be offered when entering the service and I feel that this is vital in a person’s journey. Having a quiet environment is also beneficial to access the internet particularly when completing C.V’s and doing job searches. Housing support and benefits advice is also an important service that is offered to the service users at SCE.

I cannot recommend this service enough as it is an all-round support to people who struggle to cope with everyday life stresses and more intense issues and will continue to signpost any of my service users to it due to the many benefits, they will gain from it.