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 names of trainees have been altered to respect their privacy