“When meeting other women on Next Steps I didn’t realise how many people were going through the stuff I was going through. Different scenarios but the same kind of stories. I liked that because nobody was different to anyone else, and nobody treated each other differently.”

Our Next Steps programme is for women whose backgrounds have led to their involvement in offending and the criminal justice system, or to experience homelessness or problem substance or alcohol use which may impact on their wellbeing, relationships and life circumstances.

After an assessment period we support individuals to identify the changes they want to make in their lives and develop goals to help achieve them. During this period, we offer regular community-based outreach support to identify and mitigate against any barriers prior to offering a supportive Wilderness Journey usually in the highlands of Scotland.

The Wilderness Journey focuses on supporting individuals to develop skills and strategies to cope with their situation at home. Further outreach support back in their local community encourages progression and embedding positive changes. We champion prevention and rehabilitation by supporting women involved in criminal justice to tackle complex circumstances and experiences which cause, or may cause them to offend.

By accessing greenspaces and the wilderness, individuals experience the grounding benefits of nature, which clears a busy mind and brings feelings of calm and stability for people who regularly experience high levels of stress and chaos at home. By giving these women time to reflect they build self-awareness around their habits and behaviours and awareness of their environment which may cause them to offend.

Our services provide support for up to 9 months helping individuals to make and sustain connections to services and employment, education, training or volunteering opportunities within their communities.

Note: Venture Trust does not currently work with registered sex offenders or those subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).

Key information

Age range:  16+

Location:  Across Scotland

Who it's for:  Women who've been involved in offending or at high risk of offending.

Impact
How to refer
Venture Trust Hub Area Hub Coordinator Contact Details
EastAberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee, Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, Perth & Kinross, West Lothianeasthub@venturetrust.cjsm.net (secure email) referralseasthub@venturetrust.org.uk
WestArgyle & Bute, Ayrshire (East, North & South), Dunbartonshire (East & West), Glasgow, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire (North & South), Renfrewshirewesthub@venturetrust.cjsm.net (secure email) referralswesthub@venturetrust.org.uk

Jackie’s story

“Life does not always have to be like this, and I feel like I’ve been given a new life.”

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