The Good Shepherd are delighted that a partnership with a leading Black Country NHS Trust has resulted in receiving a national accreditation standard.
The Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has received Silver Status for the Lived Experience Charter, awarded by the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service.
This is in recognition of the partnership work with the Trust and the LEAP project at the Good Shepherd, aimed at supporting experienced people and/or people with experience of the criminal justice system into employment.
LEAP – standing for Lived Experience Into Action Project – is an initial five-year project with thanks to funding from the Oak Foundation which sees volunteers follow a tailored programme of support whilst pursuing opportunities via training and volunteer placements.
The link up with Black Country NHS offers those on the LEAP programme who have made sufficient progress the opportunity to work within the NHS, and several have already made that transition to paid employment.
“The partnership with the Black Country NHS Foundation Trust is a really important one both for the LEAP project and the Good Shepherd in general, and it is working extremely well,” says Chris Cole, Service Manager with the Good Shepherd whose role includes overseeing LEAP.
“Having an achievable end goal is so important for our service users when they start volunteering with us and making progress, and we have already seen some really positive results with people landing full-time roles.
“That is the result of a fantastic team effort from everyone concerned, and we would like to once again thank the Black Country NHS for involving LEAP in this partnership, and congratulate them on a well-deserved Silver Status.”
- For more information about LEAP email [email protected]