Forward connecting more with RECONNECT
We are delighted to announce that as of 1st April 2025, we have been commissioned by NHS England in East of England to expand our impactful RECONNECT service further across the region in Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Suffolk.
RECONNECT is a care after custody service that seeks to improve the continuity of care of people leaving prison or an immigration removal centre (IRC) with an identified health need. This involves working with them before they leave to support their transition to community-based services, thereby safeguarding health gains made whilst in prison or an IRC.
Jason Moore, Forward Trust Executive Director of Substance Misuse explains more:
“We’re delivering tailored, trauma-informed and person-centred support reflecting people’s culture, characteristics, health needs and access preferences.
“Our ‘Team around the Person’ approach will collaborate and share information with partners so service users only tell their story once.
“Services will be flexible and delivered in different locations to meet diverse needs and fit around the person. We’ll also be providing advocacy – a voice for services users to communicate their needs to the professionals.
“NHS England have told us that they are looking forward to working with Forward to deliver the RECONNECT care after custody service in the East of England, ensuring that people leaving prison or Immigration Removal Centres are supported to continue to manage their health and wellbeing needs when they transition back to the community.
“NHS England will also be supporting our work to transition to a regional service, which will be shaped on the learning and good practice from previous RECONNECT services in the East of England.
“Our vision at The Forward Trust is that anyone, whatever their history or circumstances, gets the opportunity and support to live a positive life that fulfils their potential, and to inspire others to follow the same path. We are delighted that, thanks to NHS England, East of England,we have the ability to transform the lives of many more people with the support we have to offer.”
Contact Details
To get in touch with our RECONNECT service, please call 0300 303 2035 or email EoE.Reconnect.SPOC@forwardtrust.org.uk.
For more information about RECONNECT East of England and how to access our service, visit here. You can also visit NHS England’s website for more information on the service.