A new Glasgow app connecting people to supports around known issues that can contribute to offending and reoffending has been launched: app.letsget.scot/splash. 

Community Justice Glasgow commissioned the online tool, which was developed in partnership with Glasgow Girls Club, in a bid to reduce reoffending by helping people access a broad range of services.

The Let’s Get Connected app links to a wide range of community-based groups and local services offering support and advice for those experiencing problems such as trauma, poverty, mental health problems, addiction, unemployment, homelessness, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). The app includes over 800 public services and third sector groups in a bid to help people access support quickly and easily.

Glasgow Girls Club who have supported women and girls with personal experience of the criminal justice system led the technical development of the app, which can be downloaded to a mobile phone or accessed on a computer. Glasgow Girls Club will train volunteers to verify and update the crowd-sourced information in their neighbourhoods. These community champions will use their local knowledge to keep the app up-to-date while learning valuable digital skills.

Jen Layden, then-Glasgow City Councillor and Convener for Equalities and Human Rights, said: “Sadly many people who come into contact with the justice system have suffered trauma or have mental health or addiction problems. Evidence and experience show that if they are connected to positive influences in their community and receive the support they need at an early stage, they are more likely to pursue positive paths. 

If we address the underlying issues which can lead to offending, we can reduce the risk of people coming into contact with the justice system as well as lowering the risk of repeat offending. This new free app offers easy access to a wealth of community based support.”

The app is mainly for people working in Community Justice who signpost people they come into contact with, to organisations for support. It was trialled and welcomed by professionals from social work, Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service.

Amy Rew of Glasgow Girls Club said: “We have always been driven to create pathways for connections for women and girls at risk of crisis. Some of our project participants have had first-hand experience of the justice system and we have seen the impact that being linked into their communities has made on diversion from further offending. Our partnership with Community Justice Glasgow has allowed us to harness the power of technology and share this knowledge for a wider community benefit, across the spectrum of gender, age and background.”

Lynsey Smith, Head of Service (Justice Services), Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), added, “Justice social work were delighted to provide funding to support the commission and development of the Let’s Get Communities Connected App. Our staff have been using the App to identify local resources and have been actively promoting its use with our third sector colleagues and service users. We know that linking people into community resources is a critical part of recovery and rehabilitation. The Glasgow Girls Club have developed a great App which is easy to navigate and provides all the resource information you need in one place.”