Alana House, Women's Community Project
Alana House is a PACT-run community project that addresses the needs of women already involved, or at risk of becoming involved, with the criminal justice system.
In particular we address issues that lead to repeat offending by supporting women to identify and address their key areas of vulnerability.
Alana House is one of 24 surviving Women’s Community Centres that were set up to break the cycle of re-offending by effectively co-ordinating multi-agency, multi-disciplinary support in the community.
At Alana House women with small children (1-4 years) are positively encouraged to attend, in keeping with PACT’s commitment to strengthen families.
Referral
The starting point for some women can be a referral from the Probation Service, Substance Misuse services or Voluntary Agencies.
Other women are sent to Alana House to attend our accredited Personal Development Course, Thinking Ahead For Women as part of their community sentence.
This is the only approved Specified Activity Requirement (SAR) available to women in the Reading Area, and provides the courts with a meaningful sentencing alternative to prison for low-risk women.
From April 23rd 2012, Alana House will also be accepting referrals for Conditional Cautioning. Self referrals are also accepted.To self refer you need to be a woman aged 18+ .
- At risk of a short term prison sentence (or circumstances leading up to)
- On licence or a Probation Order
- Arrested or at Court in the past six months
- Released from prison in the last six months
- Involved in or exited from street prostitution
To speak to a Support Worker about self referral call 0118 9217 640 between 9am and 5pm
Support
Whatever route they arrive by, each woman is assigned an in-house key worker straight away, and begins to draw up a personal support plan. Female staff from over 15 specialist agencies visit Alana House, weekly, providing a wide range of support. This includes:
- Housing advice
- Literacy and Numeracy training
- Sexual Health advice and Blood-Borne Virus checks
- Substance misuse one-to-one and drop in
- Alcohol Recovery Group
- Debt and benefits advice
In addition we have four afternoon drop-ins a week, art and craft activities and outings. We maintain a stock of emergency food and toiletries supplies and some items for babies and children. We will also provide clothing to women leaving prison.
Outcomes
Outcomes for women exiting the project include
- Gaining paid employment
Becoming mentors with other organisations- moving into safe and sustained accommodation
- successful parenthood
- managing or exiting abusive relationships
If you wish to know more details about the project contact Francine Asonibare, the Centre Manager.
For the current programme of activities at Alana House please download our current information here.
If you would like to volunteer or support Alana House in some way please email us