Scottish Violence Reduction Unit

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Street & Arrow

Street & Arrow is a social enterprise that does much more than just good grub. The Glasgow-based charity also serves up second chances for its employees. 

People with convictions who may find it difficult to get into work are employed for twelve-month blocks to work at the Street & Arrow café based in Glasgow Dental Hospital. During that time workers are paired with a mentor who can help them master everything from basic employment skills like turning up to work on time, through to debt management and housing issues. 

Mentor Callum explained: “As a mentor it’s our job to walk side-by-side with the trainees on their journey of change. We aim to be a positive role model to them providing support and guidance to help them build a better life.”

For the Street&Arrow trainees being offered a job and support can be life changing.

Street & Arrow was launched in 2016 as part of Braveheart Industries (BHI). So far around 30 trainees have taken part in the programme, with support offered to move into employment or training after graduating from the programme.

Research shows that getting a job can be one of the biggest factors in preventing people falling back into offending and addiction.   

“Getting a foot on the employment ladder can very often be viewed as an impossible task amongst those who have previous criminal history,” says the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit’s, Sergeant Dario D’Andrea who is the project lead for BHI. 

“Structure, training, support and guidance is key to transforming people, who may have been labelled as hopeless, into positive, contributing and valued members of our communities. At Street & Arrow we provide the platform for those ready to change, to step-up and make the difference, thus breaking the offending cycle and making our towns and cities safer, healthier and more prosperous for all.”

Street & Arrow works in partnership with the Scottish Government and community justice Glasgow with support from Community Jobs Scotland and Skils Development Scotland.

To find out more about BHI or Street & Arrow contact Sergeant Dario D’Andrea Dario.D’Andrea@scotland.pnn.police.uk

“The need for hope and a sense of purpose is crucial to allow people to move on in their lives and this is what is apparent that Street and Arrow is providing. The programme brings credibility and gives the trainees a sense of hope and possibility that if they do the right things then they can recreate their lives.”
DR William GrahamLecturer in criminology, University of Abertay
“It’s good for me as I’ve never really had a job before, so it’s good for a bit of stability. It feels that I’ve got purpose as well cos I feel needed and wanted in a way.”
Colin*Trainee
“My family was ashamed of me and my mum was in tears, she said I could not do this anymore. Street and Arrow has changed my life and brought me back to my family again. It has had a massive impact on them as well.”
James*Trainee
“I’ve got a wee bit of respect back, a wee bit of self-esteem and self-worth. I’m actually part of society now.”
Sean*Trainee
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*The names of trainees have been altered to respect their privacy

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Niven Rennie

Director

Telephone: 01786 896785          Email: violence.reduction@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Niven has more than 30 years of operational policing experience in the United Kingdom. He joined Strathclyde Police in 1985 serving throughout the west of Scotland in a variety of ranks and positions before progressing to the rank of Chief Superintendent. Niven previously held the role of President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents where he represented the interests of the operational leaders of policing in Scotland.

On leaving Police Scotland in 2016 Niven took up the position of Chief Executive Officer of South Ayrshire Escape from Homelessness (SeAscape).

Niven was appointed director of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit in July 2018.