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The current global public health situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is placing unprecedented challenges on us all and we recognise this has the potential to impact on the services we deliver.

With this in mind, we are taking the following steps to minimise disruption to services.

Following the announcement to temporarily suspend the Scottish Prison Service’s Throughcare Support Service on 13 September, the Shine Public Social Partnership is responding to work with women released from short-term prison sentences of up to four years who were previously supported by the Scottish Prison Service.

Shine is a Public Social Partnership led by Sacro with third sector partners: Wise Group, Apex, Access to Industry, Turning Point Scotland, Barnardos, Circle and Venture Trust, supported by Scottish Government, Scottish Prison Service and Social Work Scotland.

I arrive to work at 8.30. While having a cup of tea, I complete my paperwork from the day before including case notes, time sheet, travel expenses etc. I spend around an hour doing this, as most of the women I support prefer appointments later morning/afternoon. I also spend time speaking with my colleagues: we like helping each other with ideas on how best to handle situations and sharing information where to go for help from other agencies. 

Circle’s role within the Shine partnership is the involvement of the FABI Project supporting women pre and post release from prison and their families in the community. Linda has been known to the FABI Project, following self-referral through Shine’s Women’s Mentoring Service whilst Linda was serving a 19 month prison sentence in in HMP Edinburgh. I was allocated as Linda’s Shine Mentor to help build her self-esteem and confidence and provide both practical and emotional support to address Linda’s isolation within the community.

My current role in Shine is very different from that of a PBC and so going in and speaking to the women in order to take referrals has been a new experience for me.