Jericho Foundation and RBH provide a brighter future

With many criminals returning to a life of crime within months of serving a jail sentence Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has joined forces with the Jericho Foundation to try and improve their prospects.

Based in the Borough of Rochdale, Jericho Foundation is a charitable organisation that provides practical training, support and work experience to ex-offenders, ex-drug users, homeless people living in hostel accommodation and those who are out of work with no skills and qualifications.

Launched by Iain Wight and Helen Munro in 2006 the pair have helped over 31 men from this disadvantaged group and last week proudly opened the doors to a new training room at a ceremony attended by local MP, Paul Rowen.

“What we try to do here is help people to rebuild their lives,” says Mr Wight. “We don’t simply provide construction training we help people with all aspects of their lives to prepare them for independent living. Housing is an important aspect of that because what we have found is that simply helping people in one area of their lives when other areas are falling apart doesn’t really help in the long term.”

Jericho’s unique partnering with RBH will permit RBH caretakers to utilise the centre for training purposes – learning handy person skills that they can then pass onto tenants in the future. In addition, RBH is working with Jericho on a proposal that will put in place some supported housing for Jericho trainees.

RBH will also be employing the services of Jericho to undertake simple refurbishment schemes on some of its void properties. This will enable the trainees to enhance their skills in a ‘real’ construction environment.

Eugene Wilson, Technical Director of RBH says: “I have been impressed by Jericho from the first day I met them. All of their managers and staff are dedicated to enhancing the life skills of their trainees as well as providing them with a skill that will boost their chances of employment”

Thirty four year old Dave Ratcliffe is a fine example of the long term benefits for users of the centre. From the age of sixteen he confesses to living a ‘life of crime’ in his former home town of Salford and spent much of his time ‘in and out of prison’. But in 2001, he was heavily penalised for his crime spree and given an eight year sentence.

“After I left prison in September 2006 part of my parole conditions were to move to Rochdale and live in supported housing,” says Mr Ratcliffe.

He admits that, apart from prison, this was the toughest challenge he had faced and with no support available from friends and family he claims he would have floundered had it not been for the support of the Foundation.

“When I left prison I had become completely institutionalised and used to always being told what to do. I didn’t have a clue about the latest technology - things like digital cameras and camera phones.”

New trainees at the foundation initially embark on a four week course to ‘break down barriers’. Mr Ratcliffe says the personal development aspect of the programme really opened his eyes to his future and gave him the incentive he needed.

“I had no CV because I’d never had a job, no work history and no experience – nothing – just a determination to succeed.”

The Rebuild Programme then continues with personal development together with general training in construction to equip the men for work. After learning a range of skills such as plastering and joinery Mr Ratcliffe has decided to pursue a trade in bricklaying.

I couldn’t understand why I was being given this opportunity but I thought about whether I wanted to go back to my old lifestyle and the answer was no – I wanted to live my life.”
In fact, he progressed with such leaps and bounds that after the four month course ended he was offered work-based training for two days a week with Jericho Construction CIC. Although he is not paid for this work Mr Ratcliffe receives ‘credits’ that will go towards driving lessons and a deposit for his home once he starts full time work.

“Dave had a fantastically successful attitude,” added Mr Wight. “He came to us thinking that whatever it took to succeed he would do it and he has.

With realistic starting goals that included finding full time work and owning his own home Mr Ratcliffe is now seeing the rewards of his perseverance – Jericho recently secured additional funding and offered him a full time post as site operative.

“I just want a normal life now and I have enough credits to achieve that. Without this place I know I would have just returned to Salford and carried on doing what I used to do. But now I’ve got new friends and my first ever job. I’ve changed my life completely and for the first time ever my mum is proud of me.”

Date article online: 24/04/2008