Re-Unite is a UK based housing project, providing a package of support and access to housing for mothers who have been separated from their children whilst serving a prison sentence. The founding partners of the project Commonweal Housing, Housing for Women and Women in Prison noticed that there was a real need to help these mothers, as there is no provision of family housing on release for mothers who are not in custody of their children.

Re-Unite works with women who have a reasonable prospect of being re-united with their children, either on their day of release or for the Mothers’ Programme within 6 months of release. Re-Unite works with the mothers and various support and governmental agencies to ensure that the women and children are re-united successfully in safe and secure accommodation that allows them to prepare for fully independent living up to a year after they are released from prison. They provide general housing for single women and those with families, emergency accommodation for women at risk of domestic violence and abuse, temporary housing and support for women who have been trafficked, homes and support for women ex-offenders working to re-establish family life with their children and back to work advice and support.

Housing 4 Women are currently setting up a new project, called Reconnect. Reconnect is short term shared accommodation for females on release from prison with complex needs associated with substance misuse. This project aims to combine safe secure accommodation and person centred support in order to bring about changes in their lives, reduce re-offending rates and contribute to positive resettlement.

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Please seek permission from Women’s Breakout or Re-Unite prior to using any extracts.