The Reflections project, led by St Giles Midlands and funded by the Ministry of Justice, provides tailored support to women in Coventry who are connected in the criminal justice system or at risk of becoming so.
Since January 2023, the number of women entering prison has risen by 15%, with a further 16% increase projected by November 2027*. These figures highlight the urgent need to address root causes, such as domestic abuse, poverty and mental ill health.
By providing tailored support and early intervention to vulnerable women, Reflections is making a real difference by offering women the support they need to rebuild their lives, reducing custodial sentences and breaking cycles of reoffending.
What I liked about the service is that it keeps women like me organised and focused. I suppose when you have a purpose, they then hold you accountable. And that works for me in terms of keeping me on track.
– Reflections Client
Since its launch in July 2023, the Reflections program has received 118 referrals, underscoring the urgent demand for its services. By offering client-led action plans, safe spaces, and flexible, accessible support, Reflections empowers women to tackle challenges such as domestic abuse, mental ill health struggles, and family issues.
Using the lived experiences of St Giles caseworkers to deliver empathetic and insightful support, the program follows each client’s unique needs, motivation, and readiness to change, enabling staff to act effectively during pivotal moments of progress. This holistic approach allows participants to rebuild their lives, regain confidence, and recognise their self-worth.
Providing early intervention to support our female clients not only empowers them but also helps prevent them from becoming statistics within the criminal justice system. Witnessing the positive changes in our clients and experiencing their heartfelt gratitude makes the team’s dedication incredibly rewarding.
– Hannah Whiteley, Community Delivery Manager
The project specifically supports women over the age of 18 in Coventry who were released from Police Custody without further action. Women leaving Police custody often face significant barriers, including housing insecurity, unemployment, lack of childcare and poverty. These obstacles, compounded by trauma, mental ill health, and experiences of domestic abuse, can increase their vulnerability to reoffending and continued cycles of hardship. Without targeted support, these difficulties also impact their families, often leaving children without the presence of their mothers.
By helping women to overcome obstacles and create stability in their lives, Reflections serves as a guiding light, to build a more stable, fulfilling future.
The benefits are clear when clients come in, as some start at rock bottom. By the time they finish with us, they can feel like they’re on top of the mountain. It’s great to see their growth and their realisation that they are capable of achieving this on their own.
– Reflections CaseworkerI think what the project does is give you access to a safe space. That was really important to me. I felt safe to be honest about what was happening without being judged and stuff. I trusted them to help me sort things out.
– Reflections Client
* www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Winter-2024-factfile.pdf