Our projects
Equality & Diversity Support Service
Our Equality & Diversity Support Service works alongside organisations and public services to improve fairness, trust, and inclusion.
We provide:
- Independent scrutiny and culturally informed insight
- Support to strengthen anti-racist practice
- Guidance on responding to discrimination concerns
- Training that builds confidence in cultural competency
- Safe, principled spaces for honest conversations and reflection
Current workstreams include:
- Prison release support for ethnically diverse people returning to the Southwest
- Ethnically diverse support programme for people on probation in South Wales
- Cultural leadership as part of the One Wales Service
- A year-long Appreciative Inquiry into the racially motivated disorder in Plymouth (August 2024)
- Principled Spaces for Way Through, System Change Action Alliance, and Y-SMART
- Independent scrutiny support across 11 prisons in England and Wales
- Anti-racism and allyship networks
This service helps organisations create safer, more equitable environments where everyone feels valued and heard.
Safe Haven
Safe Haven is our emergency accommodation and support service for people at risk of homelessness during critical transition periods—particularly women leaving prison whose statutory accommodation arrangements have broken down or failed at the point of release.
The first week after leaving custody is one of the most vulnerable and high-risk stages in a person’s journey. When accommodation falls through, individuals can be left unsafe, isolated, and without the stability needed to begin rebuilding their lives. Safe Haven fills this urgent gap.
What Safe Haven provides:
- Immediate, safe emergency accommodation (typically up to three nights)
- Practical wraparound support to stabilise safety, wellbeing, and basic needs
- Help navigating statutory systems to secure appropriate longer-term housing
- Support with food, essentials, and welfare needs
- Trauma-responsive, culturally aware guidance from experienced practitioners
- Rapid multi-agency coordination with probation, health, community partners, and housing providers
Safe Haven creates vital breathing space at a moment of crisis, ensuring no one is left without safety or support at the point of release. Our approach prioritises dignity, compassion, and empowerment—helping people regain control, avoid harm, and move toward sustainable housing and long-term stability
S.T.A.R (System Treatment and Recovery)
The STAR (System Treatment and Recovery) is a project that has been funded by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to bring together a One Team approach to providing wrap around support and engagement to people rough sleeping or in temporary accommodation in Exeter, who are experiencing substance use challenges but are not yet engaged with relevant services. The whole team works by using a MEAM, trauma informed approach.
The aims of the S.T.A.R project are to:
- Increase capacity in system to offer intensive intervention when an individual has a treatable moment
- Build on existing excellent practice
- Developing current relationships/collaborations
- Strengthen an alliance of organisations with a future vision
- Align with other programmes eg. RSI /Flexible assertive support team (FAST)/One Mental Health team et al
Partner Organisations
Devon County Council (Public Health), Exeter City Council, Waythrough, BCHA, CoLab, Julian House & Clock Tower Surgery
Our role is to provide operational oversight and strategic leadership as part of the senior leadership board
One Wales Service
Our One Wales Service (OWS)
The One Wales Service (OWS) is a national partnership designed to support women and young people involved in the justice system across Wales. The service is part of a significant investment by HMPPS in Wales, the South Wales and Gwent Police & Crime Commissioners, and Welsh Government to improve outcomes, experiences, and long-term opportunities for those navigating the justice system.
OWS is delivered collaboratively by:
The Nelson Trust, bthechange, St Giles Cymru, Pact, and Media Academy Cymru (MAC).
Our role within the One Wales Service
bthechange provides strategic cultural leadership across the partnership, ensuring that services are culturally aware, culturally responsive, and reflective of the diverse communities they support. We help partners embed trauma-informed, inclusive, and equity-driven approaches that strengthen trust, improve engagement, and support ethical, sustainable change.
Mentoring Programme for clients released under investigation/ Police bail.
We provide mentoring for women, first-time entrants, and ethnically diverse people navigating uncertainty, instability, and anxiety during Release Under Investigation (RUI) or Police Bail. Individuals are signposted to us through the six custody centres across Devon and Cornwall.
Our mentors offer:
- Regular check-ins and emotional support
- Practical guidance during a stressful and often confusing process
- Help to reduce isolation and prevent crisis points
- Support in accessing services, community resources, and positive activities
- A safe, non-judgmental relationship built on trust and understanding
This programme helps people stay grounded, connected, and focused while their cases progress.
Dedicated Women's Support
In Partnership with Waythrough, we provide a dedicated transitional support programme for Women at HMP Eastwood Park who are returning to Devon that have a history of substance difficulties. Our comprehensive service is designed to support Women through every step of their transition, ensuring a smoother reintegration into the community.
Our Service Includes
12-Week Prison Engagement: Intensive support and engagement at HMP Eastwood Park.
Full Through-the-Gate Support: Upon release, we provide a seamless support, including gate pickup, to ensure Women have the resources and guidance needed from the moment they leave prison. We also support Women with attending all required day one release appointments.
12-20 Week Community Management: Continued support in the community for up to 20 weeks, addressing complex needs such as:
- Poly-substance misuse
- Co-existing alcohol use
- Dual diagnosis (substance use and declining mental health)
- Co-existing physical health problems
- Pregnancy
Additional Services
Take-Home Naloxone: We provide take-home Naloxone kits and instructions on their use to help prevent overdose deaths.
BBV Referrals: We facilitate referrals for Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing and treatment.
We also extend our support to women in police custody and court, with specialised programmes tailored for:
Ethnically Diverse women
Women without substance use support requirements
Our goal is to ensure that every individual receives the comprehensive care and support.