Cash boost for project to keep vulnerable women out of jail

The Women's Community Project, to be run by the Cambridge Centre in Scarborough, will work with women who face issues that can lead to crime and prison, including drug or alcohol misuse, abusive relationships, unsuitable accommodation, poor education, and financial troubles. It will cover Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale and will initially run until 2011.

Cambridge Centre chief executive Nikki Orrell said: "This is a tremendous achievement for the Cambridge Centre and for Scarborough, as only a handful of these projects are being set up across the country. It offers a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to vulnerable women's lives."

The centre went through a rigorous application process to win the project, arguing that Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale had areas with high levels of poverty and deprivation, low income and problems of domestic violence and teenage pregnancy.

A full-time co-ordinator will be appointed alongside other part-time posts.

The service will draw support from the police, probation service, housing, health, criminal justice, drug and alcohol services, crime and disorder partnership, benefits, youth support, domestic abuse services and social services.

The project will also help women to improve their lives by offering training and volunteer work opportunities, healthcare, maternity services, parenting skills and help with claiming benefits. A crche will be provided along with laundry facilities.

Ms Orrell added: "If we can work with vulnerable women to reduce the risk of them offending and break the cycle of re-offending, then it benefits them, their children and future generations."

The Cambridge Centre can be contacted on 01723 367475.