Gro-Organic CiC

Gro-Organic works with a number of organisations to bring about a positive way forward for people in the criminal justice system. Through our community projects we enable people to see how their actions have impacted upon their local community, and we aim to put in place a restorative strategy to repair the harm they’ve done.

A wide variety of ages take part in our schemes, including some of school age. Generally speaking we work with 12 years old upwards, with no upper limit. But we have found that breaking down inter-generational barriers in mixed groups helps with rehabilitation.

We encourage participants to create positive approach to prevent conflict and create harm, and we tailor our activities to the original crime. For example, we may use community projects such as fence repairs for those involved in vandalism. But we also take on those involved in much more serious crimes such as armed robbery.

The programme has proven incredibly successful that some of those we have rehabilitated have gone onto to take RHS qualifications and even set-up their own food-related business. Our programmes have helped to show a reduction in re-offending

Even if people are already on the path to prison, we have shown they are less likely to get into further trouble inside, as there’s something to look forward to on the outside – support and community, and a sense of purpose.

We work with a range of bodies including:
- Prison and probation services
- Local police (including police and crime commissioners)
- Children’s services
- Young offending teams (YOT)
- Self-referrals (some young people who have nothing to do will contact us in fear of committing future offences)
- Employers or workplaces (rehabilitation rather than dismissal is preferred)