The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are committed to preventing sexual abuse to form local ‘Circles’. Circles reflect the communities they work in and we welcome volunteers from all kinds of backgrounds.
Circles of Support and Accountability aim to rehabilitate people who have committed a sexual offence and help them to not offend again.
Each circle includes 4 to 6 trained volunteers from the local community who help to support one person who has sexually offended. The volunteers meet with the core member for 12 to 18 months.

HOW DO CIRCLES WORK?
The circle provides practical skills and support to the Core Member according to their needs, which might include social skills, finding work or hobbies, or looking for suitable accommodation. They will also receive disclosure about the Core Member’s offending behaviour, and support them to recognise unhelpful thoughts, feelings and patterns of behaviour which might link to their risk of offending, and encourage them to develop more healthy strategies.
The Core Member will be subject to probation oversight within the criminal justice system. Volunteers are supported by a professional Circle Coordinator, who liaises with other key professionals working with the Core Member, including police and probation.

DO CIRCLES WORK?
Successfully rehabilitating and reintegrating people with sexually harmful behaviour is key to reducing reoffending, because social isolation and emotional loneliness are key factors that increase the risk of reoffending.
For many people who have sexually offended, trying to re-settle into the community (particularly following a period of time in prison), can be daunting. Circles have proven to be an extremely effective way of reducing risk of reoffending.
Circles use the principles of restorative justice, in particular a belief in the importance of healthy relationships and an individual’s accountability for what they do and its effect upon others.