£13k awarded to St Petrock’s

One of Exeter’s largest private employers, Alcoa Howmet, has helped St Petrock’s, Exeter’s charity for people who are homeless, receive a grant of US$19,000 (£13,000) from its US-based Alcoa Foundation for the charity’s work in reducing re-offending.

“We’ve enjoyed a good relationship locally with St Petrock’s for several years,” explains Nicola Acton, Plant Manager’s Assistant at Alcoa Howmet, “and have helped collect Harvest Festival on the charity’s behalf as well as provided small grants from our local scheme.  When they opportunity arose, this year, to put forward a local charity for the Alcoa Foundation grant – St Petrock’s was our first thought. 
“We were impressed, not only by the unique services that St Petrock’s offers people who are homeless in the city but also for it’s, less well known, PORCH service which helps reduce re-offending by finding housing and supporting ex-offenders in their accommodation.”

St Petrock’s PORCH project works in partnership with Police, Probation and specialist drug/alcohol services to support persistent offenders make a successful transition to independent living.  Last year, PORCH found suitable and stable accommodation for 63 ex-offenders and provided support to 90 individuals across Exeter, East and Mid Devon.  According to the Devon Safety Partnership this work contributed to a 37.5% reduction in re-offending in the area.

Mel Hartley, St Petrock’s project manager, adds, “It was great to be invited by Alcoa Howmet to bid for the Alcoa Foundation grant and we’re delighted to have been successful with our bid. This will certainly help secure the PORCH project, which is an important piece of our work, for the year ahead.”