Service helping vulnerable people nominated for national award

Ian Trenholm, Head of the Liaison and Diversion Norfolk and Suffolk service. Photo: NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust. (Image: Archant)

The Liaison and Diversion Service, which provides support to vulnerable people in Norfolk and Suffolk who have been arrested, is a finalist in the Howard League for Penal Reform's community awards.

The service, which supports people with mental health problems, disabilities or addictions who are appearing in court or dealing with the police, will find out whether it has won the award at a ceremony in London on November 30.

The Liaison and Diversion Service is jointly run by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), Julian Support, a group who help people with mental health problems live independently, and Walking With The Wounded, a charity that retrains wounded ex-serivcemen and women.

In its first year the service has helped 2171 adults.

The Howard League for Penal Reform's community awards aim to celebrate the schemes in the country which have had the most impact in preventing people committing crime.

Ian Trenholm, who runs the Norfolk and Suffolk Liaison and Diversion service, said: 'We are delighted that the L&D Service has been shortlisted for this prestigious award, which recognises the difference it has made to scores of people from across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Ben Curran, Head of Business Development with Julian Support, said: 'The service works with some of society's most disadvantaged and vulnerable people at a point of absolute crisis in their lives.

'To have this work recognised by the Howard League, who campaign tirelessly for change in the criminal justice system, is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all staff working in the service across Norfolk and Suffolk.'