Archive content
This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 22 July 2014. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
A COMMUNITY project in Reading has scooped a top award in recognition of its work with vulnerable women.
Alana House, which is run by the charity Parents And Children Together (PACT), won The Howard League for Penal Reform Award in the Community Programme for Women category. Alana House supports women with complex needs, including ex-offenders and those at risk of offending, and helps them to make positive life changes and develop new skills. The award comes in the same week as Alana House opens up a new satellite branch in Newbury and will be reaching out to support women in West Berkshire in addition to those it already works with in Reading. Alana House West Berkshire will be holding drop-in sessions from Broadway House, Newbury, on Fridays from 1. 30pm-3. 30pm.
One-to-one support appointments can be made at other times. The Howard League for Penal Reform is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
It makes annual awards to well resourced and well structured programmes that raise public protection, bring down the rate of offending, and repay the damage done by crime in a way which custodial sentences cannot. PACT's Chief Executive Jan Fishwick, Head of Communities Development Natausha van Vliet and Trustee Rev Tim Edge received the award from HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony at Cavendish Square, London, yesterday (15th July). Head of Communities Development Natausha van Vliet said: "We are so thrilled to receive this prestigious award on behalf of our wonderful team and the inspiring women we support.
We look forward to further developing our work with vulnerable women in the future and helping them to make positive changes in their lives. "Chief Executive Jan Fishwick said: "I am full of pride for the Alana House team who do an incredible job every day and this award recognizes that."
The Revd Tim Edge, PACT Trustee and chairman of the charity's Communities Committee said: "It was a privilege to be at the award ceremony on behalf of PACT, and I agree, we can be proud of all those who have worked to make Alana House work.
"The award is the latest accolade for PACT, which has had a successful few months. The charity's therapeutic support for adopted and fostered children was named Voluntary Adoption Service of the Year in the BAAF National Adoption Week Awards in October 2013. In January, PACT's adoption services were rated as "outstanding" across all four assessed areas by Ofsted and, in June, it received the bronze award from Investors in People. PACT supports vulnerable families through outstanding adoption services, permanent fostering, award-winning therapeutic support and community projects in London and the south.
To find out more about Alana House West Berkshire visit www.pactcharity.org/alana_house.