Camden charity receives grant to support people with learning disabilities

A charity has been awarded over £95,000 to support people with learning disabilities and autism involved in the criminal justice system.

The City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, has given Respond £95,100 to help 25 offenders and their families each year.

The charity aims to improve the mental health of people with learning disabilities and autism involved in the criminal justice system or who are likely to come into contact with it, thereby reducing offending and re-offending.

Respond is the leading provider of psychotherapy and support for offenders with learning disabilities and autism.

Alison Gowman, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust committee, said:

“Respond is the only voluntary organisation in London offering forensic services for people with learning disabilities and autism.

“Its focus on improving mental health will have a lasting effect on the offenders, giving them a support system that was very much needed.

“City Bridge Trust is committed to tackling disadvantage across the capital and making London a fairer and better place to live.”

Respond believes the criminal justice system cannot meet the needs of its population with learning disabilities and autism. Research by the Prison Reform Trust (2008) found that a significant proportion of prisoners with learning disabilities are excluded from offending behaviour programme, interventions that are needed to secure release.