RAF Association supports community project at HMP Peterborough

A community project helping to get Peterborough’s homeless veterans back on their feet was given a boost, thanks to a donation from the RAF Association.

Outside Links supports former prisoners, veterans and homeless people in the city to get back to work, find housing and thrive in the community.

The Association donated four laptops to Outside Links, allowing their clients to look for accommodation, apply for jobs, update their CVs and apply for financial support.

Kenny Wood, Community Liaison and ROTL Coordinator for Outside Links, said: “These laptops will make a huge difference to the people we support, allowing them to access the services they need to get their lives back on track.”

“For someone who has just left prison or is homeless, it is quite difficult to get access to a computer and get online. But if they want to find a job or apply for Universal Credit, it’s all done online these days. Being able to access a computer and the internet removes that barrier.”

Kenny, an RAF veteran himself who served for over 20 years, explained that former prisoners and homeless people struggle to get the support they need because so many of the application processes can only be done online.

The Association’s Chief Information Officer, Phil Sherwin, said: “We are thrilled to see our laptops have a second life helping vulnerable people get back on their feet. The work that Outside Links does to support veterans aligns perfectly with our mission to support the RAF community, so we are delighted to support this vital community project.”

Outside Links was set up by HMP Peterborough, which is managed by Sodexo Justice Services, ten years ago to help former prisoners settle back into society. Over the years, the initiative has expanded to support vulnerable people and veterans.

Images supplied by HMP Peterborough