Langley House Trust’s Pathways to Change programme has received a cash boost of £2,678 from the Co-op Local Community Fund.

The rehabilitative community scheme, based at the Elderfield project in Hampshire, was chosen by Co-op members to receive the funding.

Since April, one percent of Co-op branded products and services spent by Co-op members, together with money from shopping bag sales from Chandlers Ford Co-op has been donated to Pathways to Change.

Pathways to Change helps men coming from prison to live crime-free and turn their lives around by breaking the cycle of crime. The programme uses a number of techniques including cognitive behavioural therapy to develop skills to live independently and access employment.

Pathways to Change was launched in 2012, following in the footsteps of Kainos Community Challenge to Change programme, which has ran successfully in prisons across England since 1999. Pathways to Change provides a unique opportunity to not only challenge attitudes, thinking and behaviour but also to instil social values and work ethics. Participants are supported by a team of core staff and volunteer mentors as well as peer mentors who will act as ‘experts by experience.’

Earlier this week, Lynne Dobson, project manager at Elderfield visited the store to receive the cheque and thanked staff and customers for their support.

Philip Gay, Donor Relationship Manager, Langley House Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive such a significant amount of money from the Co-op Local Community Fund for our Pathways to Change programme.

“The donation is a massive boost for everyone connected with the Elderfield project and it will certainly help the lives of many men on the programme now and in the future to live crime-free.

“On behalf of everyone at Langley House Trust, thank you to Co-op members and customers and staff at Chandlers Ford Co-op.”