Leaving prison? Let us help you reconnect with services in your community.
What is Reconnect?
Reconnect is a free 'care after custody' service, run by the NHS, to help you stay well after your release from prison or an immigration removal centre.
We know that it can be difficult to go from a prison setting back into the outside world, and people often struggle with their health and wellbeing as a result.
The Reconnect team are here to help, by introducing you to services close to where you live that can help with your health, wellbeing and much more.
How does Reconnect work?
The Reconnect team can work with you from 12 weeks before your release and for up to six months after your release.
We are a ‘signposting’ and support service: we don’t provide you with any health or care treatments directly, but we find out what you need and connect you with the right people.
Our signposting covers all health services, not just mental health services, and we will offer advice about other services too.
What sort of help can Reconnect offer?
Some of the help we can give you:
- Face-to-face sessions before your release, to find out your needs
- ‘Meet and greet’ at the prison gates
- Registering with a GP (doctor’s surgery)
- Booking appointments and advice on getting to appointments
- Filling in forms and making applications for support
- Information on healthy living and community groups.
Who runs the Reconnect service?
The Reconnect service for Derby and Derbyshire is run by a small, friendly team who are part of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
We are based at Foston Hall and Sudbury prisons and also have offices in Derby and Chesterfield.
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides a number of health services locally like family health services, mental health services and drug and alcohol support services. We also run the gambling support service for the East Midlands. So we can quickly put you in touch with these services, as well as many others.
How do I get in contact with the Reconnect team?
- Call: 01332 389190
- Email: dhcft.derbyshirereconnect@nhs.net
- Or speak to the Resettlement Team in your prison about Reconnect.
RECONNECT is a care atter custody service, working pre- and post-release to reconnect patients to community-based health services. It is an all-vulnerabilities service, taking a holistic approach.
Aims of the service:
- Improved access to healthcare and support services for vulnerable individuals leaving prison
- A reduction in health inequalities
- A reduction in reoffending and / or escalation of offending behaviours
- Increase link to third sector organisations
- Greater inclusion of prison leavers
- To safeguard the health gains made in prison and build upon them in the community
How do the team provide this support?
Through inclusion criterion (as per below), the team will screen referrals and conduct a clinical assessment to identify if the RECONNECT programme would be suitable. The clinician would refer to services as required and the service user may be supported for up to 6 months post-release by the engagement worker and / or a peer support worker (with lived experience).
- Any person leaving a secure or detained setting with an identified health vulnerability that means that they would otherwise struggle to engage with community-based healthcare services and / or relevant support services.
- Anyone person aged 18 or above who has left a prison or immigration removal centre within the last 28 days who meets the health vulnerability criteria.
How does the team operate?
The team are based within Derbyshire prisons and engage with partner agencies through resettlement meetings. This will alert the service to prisoners being released within the next 4 weeks and the next 12 weeks if they have complex needs and will provide support as required to the prisoner. The team will also be working within the community and located in partner agencies where suitable to enable ongoing support to the released prisoner. The team will work alongside the wider Liaison and Diversion team to provide holistic support.
How do I contact the team?
You can contact the team via the following routes:
Email: dhcft.derbyshirereconnect@nhs.net
Contact number: 01332 389190 (Monday Friday 9-5pm)
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