AN ADVISORY service in York has been handed a £10,000 grant to set up a new project to help young people affected by crime.

Citizens Advice Bureau, based in Micklegate, will set up the volunteer-based scheme to tackle the pressure on families faced with the emotional, practical and physical consequences of offending.

Research shows that young people with an offender in the family often feel discriminated against or ignored.

Youngsters told people working for Action For Families that "they wanted someone to talk to in confidence, to be kept informed and to have access to practical information".

Officials at the York Council for Voluntary Service, which is backing the scheme, envisage that the Families And Offenders Support Project will maintain family links with offenders and assist the transition from prison back into family homes.

Evidence reveals that offenders returning to a stable family are six times less likely to commit further crimes.

The cash will help the project provide general advice, advocacy and long-term support, if required, to families with particular focus on:

Keeping in touch with someone in prison

Visiting prison

Debt, housing and welfare benefits

Providing someone for families to talk to about their problems.

Officials have stressed that advice will also be tailored to individual needs.

Steph Stepney, project co-ordinator at York Citizens Advice Bureau, said: "We think this project is going to make a really big difference. We have been doing outreach work and have identified this need from there.

"Research shows that this work does make a real difference for families and we have also had discussions with Safer York Partnership, as part of the aim of reducing crime in the city.

"We have a team of eight volunteers and may be looking for more in May, but we want to hear from anyone who has an interest in the scheme or just wants to have a chat."

Anyone who wants further information about the scheme should phone York Citizens Advice Bureau on 01904 623550 or call in at the Micklegate centre.

Updated: 08:33 Monday, February 09, 2004