Program aims to help citizens access public services and support

Credit: Piqsels

A new app backed by Glasgow City Council aims to help reduce reoffending by connecting users with support and public services.

The Let’s Get app – a progressive web app that can be downloaded and used through a mobile or desktop browser – was commissioned by Community Justice Glasgow, an arm’s-length body of the local authority that worked alongside community network the Glasgow Girls Club to develop the technology.

The digital tool provides listings and connections to more than 800 services, including support for issues such as addition, homelessness, mental-health problems, unemployment, poverty and childhood trauma. Listings cover a range of public- and third-sector providers. 

The app is primarily designed for use by community-justice officials, who will help connect people to support organisations, but it is also available for use by members of the public.

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Councillor Jen Layden, Glasgow City Council’s 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 shows 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 work of Glasgow Girls Club, which led development of the application, includes helping many “women and girls with personal experience of the criminal justice system”. The community network will provide training for volunteers who will “verify and update… crowd-sourced information” on services in their local area.

Before formally launching last week, the system was trialled by users drawn from Glasgow’s social work, police and prisons services.

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.”